• Act uninterested in their accomplishments and achievements.
When the narcissist starts bragging about themselves, act like you’re more interested in watching paint dry. Yawn and look at your watch a lot. If they ask if you’re bored, say “No, I’m just trying to time how long it takes for someone to talk only about themselves.”
• Avoid engaging in arguments or debates with them, as it will only fuel their ego.
Narcissists love nothing more than arguing because it gives them an opportunity to show off their superior intellect (in their mind). Don’t take the bait! Instead of debating with them, simply nod along and say something non-committal like “Interesting point” before changing the subject.
• Set clear boundaries and stick to them consistently.
If you want a narcissist to leave you alone, then make sure they know what’s acceptable behavior when dealing with you. Stick to your guns even if they try every trick in the book – remember that consistency is key!
• Don’t give into their demands or manipulations, no matter how enticing they may seem at first glance.
It can be tempting to give into a narcissist’s demands just so they’ll stop bothering you…but don’t do it! Giving them what they want will only encourage further manipulation down the line.
• Refuse to be a source of narcissistic supply for them by not reacting emotionally to their behavior.
A big part of why narcissists are so insufferable is that they feed on other people’s emotional reactions. By refusing to play into this dynamic, you take away one of their biggest sources of pleasure.
• Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who understand the situation you’re dealing with.
Dealing with a narcissist can be exhausting – having loved ones around who get it makes all the difference. Plus, there’s strength in numbers: together we stand against these egotistical monsters!
• Make it clear that any attempts at contact from the narcissist will not be tolerated, whether through social media, phone calls, or other means of communication.
If a narcissist won’t leave you alone even after you’ve set boundaries and tried to disengage, then it’s time to get tough. Let them know in no uncertain terms that their behavior is unacceptable…and if they don’t listen, take steps to cut off all contact.
• Be prepared for potential backlash or retaliation from the narcissist when they realize they can no longer control or manipulate you.
Narcissists hate nothing more than losing control – so expect some pushback when you start standing up for yourself. Stay strong! Remember: every insult hurled your way is just proof that you’re doing something right.
• Use a “gray rock” technique by being uninteresting and emotionally neutral in their presence.
The gray rock method involves acting as boring and nondescript as possible around the narcissist – this makes them lose interest quickly since there’s no emotional payoff. Think about how much fun it would be talking to someone who only talks about beige paint colors!
• Don’t engage in any form of flattery or admiration towards them, as this will only fuel their ego.
It might feel like buttering up a narcissist could make things easier…but trust us on this one: DON’T DO IT! Flattery only feeds into their delusions of grandeur (not that we need another reason to avoid giving compliments).
• Avoid giving the narcissist ammunition to use against you by not sharing personal information with them.
Remember what we said earlier about consistency? That applies here too: keep your cards close to your chest when dealing with these people. The less ammo they have against you, the better.
• Be firm but polite when communicating your boundaries and expectations for how they should treat you.
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar…unless those flies are narcissists, in which case you need to be firm and assertive. Just make sure to stay polite – we don’t want them thinking they’ve gotten under your skin!
• Consider seeking professional help from a therapist who specializes in dealing with narcissistic personalities.
Sometimes the best way to deal with a problem is by getting outside help. If you’re struggling to cope with a narcissist’s behavior on your own, consider talking to someone who knows how these people tick.
• Remember that ultimately, it’s up to the narcissist to choose whether or not they want to leave you alone – no amount of trickery can guarantee success.
As much as we’d love for there to be some magic formula for making these people disappear…there just isn’t one. At the end of the day, all we can do is try our best and hope for the best!