8 things a narcissist will say to minimize you and make you feel small

From the Personal Branding Blog

If a narcissist yells at you, it’s not about anger. If they belittle you, it’s not about sadness.

Welcome to the twisted world of narcissistic communication.

Understanding this complex mind can be taxing, yet certain patterns emerge. It’s almost as if there’s a narcissist playbook, complete with 8 key phrases designed to make you feel small.

Let’s dive right in.

1) “You’re overreacting”

Ever heard this one before?

It’s a classic move in the narcissist’s playbook. When they say you’re overreacting, what they’re really doing is dismissing your feelings.

It’s a quick and effortless way for them to belittle your emotions and make them seem insignificant. It’s like they’re saying, “You shouldn’t feel this way”, or “Your feelings are invalid”.

And that’s the thing about narcissists – they don’t care about your feelings. Or anyone else’s for that matter.

To them, it’s all about control and manipulation.

This phrase is designed to make you second guess yourself, to make you feel small and unimportant.

But remember, your feelings are valid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

2) “I’m the only one who really understands you”

I still remember when my ex said this to me.

It was during one of our countless arguments, where she would always find a way to turn things around and make it about how she was the only person who truly understood me.

At first, it seemed flattering. Like she was my safe haven, someone I could rely on amidst all this chaos.

But over time, I realized what she was doing.

She was trying to isolate me, make me feel like I couldn’t trust my friends or family, that they didn’t ‘get’ me like she did. It was a tactic to make me feel small and dependent on her, to feed her ego and control me.

It’s a manipulative phrase designed to keep you in their clutches.

Always remember, there are many people who understand and love you just the way you are. Don’t let a narcissist convince you otherwise.

3) “You’re just jealous”

Rolling this phrase out is the narcissist’s way of turning the tables on you.

They’ll use it when they feel threatened or want to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.

Psychologists call this ‘projection’. It’s a defense mechanism where they project their own negative feelings onto you.

Instead of admitting they’re jealous or insecure, they’ll accuse you of being the jealous one.

It’s a clever tactic, really. It diverts attention away from their flaws and puts you on the defensive.

But don’t let it fool you. Your feelings are not a reflection of their insecurities.

4) “You’re too sensitive”

Calling you ‘too sensitive’ is one of the narcissist’s favorite ways to undermine you.

They use it as an excuse to belittle your feelings and make their harsh words seem justified.

It’s a sneaky move. By labeling you ‘too sensitive’, they’re shifting the blame from their hurtful behavior onto your reaction.

It’s their way of saying, “It’s not my fault you’re hurt, it’s your fault for being too sensitive.”

The truth is, there’s no such thing as being ‘too sensitive’. Your feelings are your own, and no one has the right to dismiss them.

It’s not about being ‘too sensitive’, it’s about them being ‘too disrespectful’.

5) “I was just joking”

I’ve heard this one too many times. It’s the narcissist’s go-to phrase whenever they say something cruel or offensive.

They’ll hide behind the guise of humor, making it seem like you’re the one who can’t take a joke.

I remember when a former friend would constantly belittle my accomplishments, only to brush it off as a ‘joke’ when I confronted him.

It was his way of diminishing my achievements and making me feel small.

It’s important to remember that jokes are meant to be funny, not hurtful.

If someone’s ‘jokes’ are consistently making you feel bad, it’s not about your sense of humor, it’s about their lack of respect.

6) “You should be grateful”

At first glance, this phrase seems harmless, even positive. After all, gratitude is a good thing, right?

But when a narcissist says it, it’s a whole different ball game.

They use it to make you feel like you owe them something, like their abusive behavior is something you should be thankful for.

It’s their way of saying, “You’re lucky to have me”.

They’re implying that no one else would put up with you, and that’s simply not true.

Remember, you deserve respect and kindness. Don’t let a narcissist convince you otherwise.

7) “It’s all in your head”

This is another common phrase narcissists use to dismiss your feelings.

They’re essentially saying that your perception of reality is false, and that their version of events is the only one that matters.

They use this phrase to make you question your sanity, to make you feel like you’re the one with the problem, not them.

It’s a form of gaslighting, a manipulative tactic used to gain power and control.

Remember, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t let a narcissist manipulate your reality.

8) “You’re nothing without me”

This is perhaps the most damaging phrase a narcissist can throw at you.

It’s designed to make you feel worthless and dependent on them, to make you believe that you can’t survive without them.

But here’s the truth: You are enough. You are strong, capable, and worthy of respect and love.

Don’t let a narcissist convince you otherwise.

Remember your worth

If you’ve read this far, you’ve already taken a huge step towards understanding the tactics narcissists use to belittle and control.

It’s not about you being too sensitive, overreacting, or not understanding the ‘joke’. It’s about their lack of respect for your feelings and your worth.

Narcissists derive their sense of superiority from making others feel inferior.

But that doesn’t define your value. Your worth isn’t determined by a narcissist’s opinion of you.

It’s important to understand that you’re enough just as you are, and you don’t need anyone else to validate that for you.

Next time a narcissist tries to minimize you or make you feel small, remember: You are strong. You are capable.

And above all, you are worthy of respect and kindness.

Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

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