I imagine most of us have occasionally not heard from someone  in reply to us we had as hoped. How many times have you wondered when you’d hear back BUT never did? I know I’ve experienced this. Each time I’ve been surprised knowing them as I do (based on our relationship). I expected better of them. I NEVER dreamed I was dealing with a narcissist, but as it turned out, sadly it proved itself out without any doubt😳

Everyone knows all about being “busy,” so not being in touch for chronic busyness is no excuse. It’s well-recognized people do the things they personally feel are most important to them. All the ‘important’ things are even documented for all to see on their social media!

✔️Easy-peasy Solution: If needed, scheduling an agreed-upon timeslot in advance solves the ‘too busy’ challenge for meet-ups, gatherings, any form of  communication/correspondence for everyone. Done👍🏻

It’s a fact technology (texts, email, notifications, etc) may not be 100% reliable — but contact can always be made by those who desire to do so. Conversations, gatherings and civil discussions can happen. 

Yet when ‘no response’ is all we get back, especially when we know *we* would reply, we’re left wondering🤷‍♀️But *that* is the point: we are “who” we are and they (the narcissists) are not us. Everyday examples abound…

• Relatives: Your request for a 5-minute FaceTime with a sibling goes ignored. A phone call/VM or text to a relative is repeatedly unanswered. Out-of-town relatives reliably avoid visiting, even when regularly traveling through your area. 

• Gift Recipient: No acknowledgement or thank you for a gift, any kind gesture or beautiful flowers is received — no matter how extraordinary, without your contacting them to see if it ever arrived🤨…and to verify it was delivered “ok” because you couldn’t know.

• Work-related: The only thing you hear back from your follow-up email to a fellow creative who publicly indicated interest in your book project results in the sound of crickets.

• Business/Legal: Often the narcissist will ignore or leave matters hanging when business or legal action is involved. This is especially true when a sign-off is required, which relinquishes control of something or someone.

• Community Groups/Associations, etc: Emails, messages or correspondence to others in the group are largely ignored/never answered. If a great idea comes from you and is implemented, your contribution to the “group greater good” will not be acknowledged. The culture of the group, possibly seasoned with a dash of deep fear (masquerading as respect) of the heavy-handed, controlling leadership sets the tone for groupthink/reactions or lack of responsiveness.

✔️The Truth Is: it’s NOT you! In fact, it’s not even about you! It’s all about the other person and their deep desire as the narcissistic personality they are, to control everyone possible through manipulation, with their purpose of achieving their goals. This is “who” they are and how they roll. They are not about real, healthy relationships. Their eyes remain on the prize, which is their deepest desire.

✔️What I’ve Learned: According to the experts, a person engaging in behaviors like this is exhibiting NARCISSISTIC traits. Narcissism is recognized as a diagnosed PERSONALITY DISORDER. It is also a SPIRITUAL DISORDER. This is NOT healthy. This disorder negatively impacts the narcissist’s own life and health. It also can have long-range negative impact through related destruction caused in the lives of all those around them. This damage can last for generations. 

It’s important to note not all individuals  exhibiting narcissistic tendencies or traits are narcissists. It is a condition that most often would be diagnosed by a medical professional. Many times people toss the label around as a derogative, or description of treatment they believe they are experiencing. However it may be it is negatively impactful to all. 

Sadly, what is lost by these people can never be regained by any of us. We’ve all lost-out on time together, positive experiences, deeper relationships, happy memories that could last for at least a generation. Unfortunately for these sad, broken people, the end of their story is not a good one💔

👉🏻This I Know: Thankfully, the world is full of people who want to have healthy relationships, are respectful of others and capable of genuinely caring♥️ Don’t let your spirit be hurt by one who is incapable of truly caring about anyone else but themselves and addressing their immediate needs, with no concern for breaking hearts — no matter who the person is in your life❤️‍🩹

❤️‍🩹 I’ve been researching, studying and writing about relationships since 2014. My passion is to share what I’ve learned, to encourage others and help us all build healthier relationships. I’d love to send you a copy of my book “Rekindling Connections: A Guide to Nurturing Meaningful Relationships” absolutely FREE! Get your copy here👉🏻https://rekindlingconnectionsguide.broken2breakthrough.com