
Image by Perlinator from Pixabay
(And Why It Still Shocks Me)
Out of all the blog posts I’ve written, one continues to show up in my stats week after week, month after month: “How to Spot the Signs of a Narcissist.” And let me tell you—I did not expect that one to take off the way it did.
It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t part of a content calendar. It just came pouring out of me one afternoon, and I hit publish without much thought. Looking back now, I realize that maybe that’s exactly why it resonated. It was real, raw, and straight from the heart.
Why I Don’t Talk About That Relationship Much
Here’s the truth: I don’t often speak on the relationship that inspired that post, because it left me with real, deep, lifelong trauma. I have PTSD. I spent 13 years in hell.
There was physical abuse almost daily—the kind that changes you, that leaves you looking over your shoulder for years even after you escape. I’ve had:
- The tip of my ring finger almost completely severed and sewn back on.
- My bicep slashed with a knife.
- My skull cracked open.
- Multiple fractured ribs and damage to my spine.
I fought back. Believe me, I fought back hard. But the emotional abuse? That’s the kind of pain that stays long after the bruises fade. I will never trust anyone and need constant reassurance. I am also cold in so many ways.
The Emotional and Psychological Toll
No one talks enough about mental abuse. The kind that messes with your head and makes you feel like you’re losing your mind. I was manipulated, gaslit, belittled, isolated, and constantly walking on eggshells.
There was also sexual abuse. And a level of betrayal I can’t even fully put into words—infidelity that included one of my underage family members. Yeah. Let that sink in.
That relationship not only destroyed parts of me and changed me in unimaginable ways, but it also damaged my children in ways we’re still trying to understand. He is a sick man. And I will speak on the dangers of narcissism any time I get the chance.
I Wasn’t Alone… and Neither Are You
What really blew me away was how many people reached out after reading that post. Women. Men. People in romantic relationships. People dealing with narcissistic parents or toxic friends. The flood of messages made one thing clear: this problem is way more common than we think.
And unfortunately, social media is only making it worse. We live in an era where everything is filtered and curated, and narcissists thrive in that world. They crave admiration, attention, and validation—and social media hands it to them on a silver platter.
Why I’ll Never Stay Silent
I’ll never stop talking about narcissism. Because someone out there is living what I lived. Someone is in survival mode right now, scared and confused, thinking they’re alone. You’re not.
If you’re reading this and wondering if what you’re experiencing is abuse—trust your gut. If you feel like you’re walking on eggshells, constantly apologizing, and questioning your worth—trust your gut. If they love-bomb you, then devalue you, then act like you are the problem—trust your gut.
You can get out. It might take planning. It might take time. It will take courage. But you can be free.
We Heal by Speaking Up
That “random” blog post taught me something powerful: our stories matter. Even the painful ones. Maybe especially the painful ones. Because when we speak up, we give others the strength to do the same.
So if you’ve got a story buried inside you, one that’s aching to come out—write it. Share it. Talk about it. You never know who needs to hear it.
And if you’re still in the thick of it—I see you. I believe you. You are not alone.
📌 Need Help?
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please know there are people who care and want to help:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
📞 1-800-799-7233
📱 Or text “START” to 88788
🌐 thehotline.org
You deserve to feel safe. You deserve to be loved without fear. And you deserve to heal.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.