The Painful Truth
The process of re-exposure will likely be painful, as the narcissist repeats behaviors they’ve shown before. However, this time, you’ll see things differently. You’ll understand their attempts to manipulate you, their gaslighting tactics, and what they hope to gain from you. It will hurt, but this pain is crucial. It’s the harsh reality you need to face to truly move on.
You must resist the temptation to justify their behavior or slip back into denial. If you start rationalizing their actions, you’ll waste the opportunity to see things clearly. Instead, stay still and let the narcissist reveal their true nature to you. This is the therapeutic aspect of re-exposure: doing nothing and observing everything.
Re-exposure as a Form of Self-Therapy
Re-exposure can be likened to self-guided exposure therapy, which is used by trauma therapists to treat anxiety, phobias, and PTSD. During exposure therapy, individuals are confronted with their triggers while remaining in a relaxed state, allowing them to process emotions fully. This technique helps them complete their trauma responses and gain closure.
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