Every time they tell it, they act like it is news. And every time, they need you to respond as if you have never heard it before. This is called self-consumption. They feed off their own narrative. They do not just repeat the story to control others; they repeat it to revive themselves. The attention, the pity, the admiration—it basically recharges their false self, at least temporarily. And when they cannot get the same reaction, they tweak the performance just enough to keep chasing that feeling. It is more than a memory; it is fuel for them.
Number three: Inappropriate Smiles and Expressions
They flash smiles that do not fit the moment. Their timing is strange, and their expressions do not match the room. You will see them smiling when no one else is, or laughing just a second too late. These are signs of someone struggling to stay composed. The smile becomes a placeholder for real emotion. A defeated narcissist uses it like a shield. It is their way of saying, “I’m still charming, right?” But when you really look, it’s all in their eyes. The smile may be wide, but the eyes are dull, frantic, or blank. Sometimes they even start smiling at strangers in passing just to appear friendly and composed.
They act cordial, polite, maybe even charismatic for a second. But if you pay close attention, the face says something different. The energy does not match the expression. It’s like their body is playing a role their soul cannot keep up with. The more uncomfortable they feel, the more they force that smile, hoping nobody notices how far off they are from genuine connection.
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