Rozanne Buitendach :
Patrick, this post hit very close to home for me because I experienced something very similar. Looking back, I wish I had understood narcissistic behaviour much earlier. The day I peacefully walked away was the day I lost their control, and almost immediately I started hearing from other people: "Do you know what this person is saying about you behind your back?" At first, it made me angry. I wanted to defend myself, explain my side, and set the record straight. But instead, I chose not to engage. I realised that I knew the truth about who I was, and I didn't need to participate in a battle of accusations and blame. It wasn't easy. In fact, it took a tremendous amount of restraint not to lash out in return. Yet over time, something interesting happened: people began to see the truth for themselves. The stories, the manipulation, and the attempts to rewrite history eventually lost their power. What you're saying is absolutely true. When some people can no longer control you directly, they try to control how others perceive you. They paint themselves as the victim and make it seem as though the breakdown of the relationship was entirely your fault. It's astonishing to witness, but it's also incredibly freeing when you realise that you don't have to participate. Time and consistent character have a way of revealing the truth.
2026-06-25 19:45:30