HOW TO RECLAIM YOUR LIFE FROM A NARCISSIST’S TOXIC HOLD REDISCOVER JOY TURN TO YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM. It’s time to restore your healthy social connections. Try to reach out to your most trusted friends and family members. It can also be an excellent opportunity to form new friendships. Find the people who will be there for you to listen, offer advice, and have fun. This is the safety net of allies who will help you as you navigate a new normal and support you as you forge a brighter and happier future. FIND YOUR JOYS AND PASSIONS. To break free from a narcissist’s isolation tactics, you need to begin to build your own independent life. Start focusing on the things and activities that bring you joy and devote time to them. It can be simple. Maybe you can join a new book club or volunteer at the animal shelter once a month. Put extra emphasis on self-care by eating healthy, getting a full night’s rest, and staying physically active. FEEL YOUR EMOTIONS. When you have been in an abusive, manipulative relationship, it can be challenging to admit. You might feel shame, sadness, or maybe even lingering feelings of love, making it hard to understand how things could have turned out this way. Often, people who are with a narcissist hide their true feelings to avoid fights and other toxic behavior. Feel the emotions you need to feel. It’s important to have a safe person to talk to about these difficult emotions, like a friend or a counselor.
When you are married to a narcissist, it can feel like you are trapped in a web of toxic isolation. Narcissists thrive on making you feel alone, and your spouse or ex-spouse has likely already taken steps to separate you from your loved ones. By secluding you from your support system and the things in life that bring you joy, a narcissist wields a manipulative power that can make it difficult to see through their negativity. By reaching out to friends and prioritizing the activities that make you happy, you can break the cycle of isolation.
Breaking free of toxic relationships takes time, but you can find happiness again by reaching out to your social circle, prioritizing your passions, and allowing yourself to feel your emotions.
GREEK CHICKEN AND RICE
Have a Laugh!
Ingredients •
2 tbsp olive oil
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2 cups chicken broth
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1 onion, diced
1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup feta cheese
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1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp dried thyme
Directions 1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened. 2. Add chicken, oregano, and thyme and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 3–4 minutes. 3. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. 4. Stir in the lemon juice and feta cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
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