If you are doing these daily habits, you need to stop, as they are bad for your mental health. It’s easier said than done, right? When you’ve been through narcissist, some behaviors stick with you without you even realizing it. You might think you’re just being cautious or considerate; however, in reality, these behaviors are signs of deep emotional wounds.
Today, let’s talk about the five everyday habits that reveal you were a victim of narcissist. Are you ready for number one?
1. You feel guilty when you rest. Narcissistic abuse conditions you to think that resting is selfish. When you were with the narcissist, anytime you took a break, you likely heard them say, “Must be nice to do nothing,” or, “You should be helping me instead.” Over time, this constant pressure rewires your brain to feel uneasy when you’re not working, doing chores, or making yourself useful. Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson, author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, explains that narcissistic environments make people feel like their needs are insignificant, leading them to overfunction just to feel valued. Even after escaping the abuse, this guilt doesn’t magically disappear. You might struggle to enjoy a free weekend because you believe you should be getting something done. That’s because your nervous system has been conditioned to associate stillness with danger. When you slowed down before, there were consequences, whether it was guilt-tripping, silent treatment, or outright criticism. The truth is that rest is not a luxury but a necessity. Your body and mind need downtime to heal, process emotions, and regain energy. If you struggle with this, start small. Try reminding yourself that rest doesn’t make you unworthy or lazy; it makes you human. You can also challenge the guilt by asking, “Who benefits from me believing this?” Breaking free from this mindset takes time, but as Dr. Nicole LaPera, author of How to Do the Work, says, “Healing happens when you stop abandoning yourself and start prioritizing your needs.” So go ahead and take that break; you deserve it.
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