Rebuilding Your Self-Trust and Intuition After a Narcissistic Relationship

 Good morning!

This is pat three of Tasha Ina Church's Narcissist Life coaching that I'm taking through Transformation Academy.

This is such an important topic and one that opened my eyes to how I got into a relationship over and over with a narcissist.

Are you ready?

The intro to this topic is:

1. How Narcissistic Abuse Undermines Intuition:

Narcissistic abuse can undermine intuition by creating a cycle of manipulation and gaslighting, leading to self-doubt and confusion.

• Gaslighting: Abusers often invalidate your perceptions and feelings, making it difficult to trust your own judgments. 

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• Emotional Manipulation: The constant pressure to conform to the abuser's reality can erode your self-esteem and confidence, further hindering your ability to trust your intuition. 

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• Rebuilding Intuition: Healing from narcissistic abuse involves recognizing the damage to your self-trust and practicing self-compassion. Engaging in activities that nurture your self-esteem and reinforce positive self-beliefs is crucial. 

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• Seeking Support: Professional help and setting boundaries are essential in the healing process, as they empower you to protect your emotional well-being. 

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  Understanding these dynamics is vital for reclaiming your power and reconnecting with your intuition.
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Let's look at article by Nicole Drummond on "Rebuilding Intuition After Narcissistic Abuse"

How Narcissistic abuse damages your intuition—and how to rebuild it — NICOLE DRUMMOND

Here's a YOUTUBE Short on "Rebuilding Self-Trust"

How to Rebuild Trust With Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse

2. The Tactics the Narcissist Uses to Undermine Intuition:

Here are common tactics narcissists use to undermine intuition:

• Ad Hominem: Attacking the speaker's character rather than the argument itself, making it difficult to engage logically. 

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• Strawmanning: Reducing genuine concerns to absurdity or caricaturing them to deflect accountability. 

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• Red Herring: Introducing unrelated topics to divert attention from the main issue, making it hard to focus on the real problem. 

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• Gaslighting: Distorting reality to make the victim question their own perception and reality. 

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• Love Bombing: Overwhelming the victim with excessive affection and attention to manipulate them into feeling unworthy. 

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  These tactics are designed to control and manipulate the victim, making it difficult to trust their intuition or reality.
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Here's an article from Parade Magazine listing "11 Manipulation Tactics Narcissists Use".

11 Narcissistic Manipulation Tactics, According to Therapists - Parade

3. What are the "symptoms" of "damaged intuition"?

Symptoms of damaged intuition can manifest in various ways, including:

• Physical sensations: You may experience a flutter in your stomach or a tightening sensation, which can indicate discomfort or a need to pay attention. 

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• Emotional responses: Intuition often triggers feelings of confidence or unease, leading to a sense of urgency or calmness. 

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• Gut feelings: You might feel a strong urge to act, even when you're unsure, which can be a sign of a damaged intuition. 

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• Misalignment with reality: Intuition can sometimes lead to decisions that feel right but are not based on facts, indicating a potential disconnect from reality. 

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• Overreliance on intuition: Ignoring intuition can lead to missed opportunities or poor decision-making, as intuition is often a reliable guide when logic fails. 

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  Understanding these symptoms can help you recognize when your intuition may be damaged and guide you towards better decision-making.
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Here, wikihow.com gives a "Guide on How to Trust Your Intuition".

How to Trust Your Intuition: A Meditation Expert's Guide

4. Reclaiming Intuition After Abuse:

Reclaiming intuition after narcissistic abuse

Reclaiming intuition after narcissistic abuse involves a complex process of self-discovery and emotional healing. Here are some strategies to help you regain your intuition:

• Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to protect your emotional well-being and maintain self-respect. 

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• Seek Support: Engage with trusted friends, family, or mental health professionals to validate your experiences and provide guidance. 

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• Develop Self-Worth: Focus on building self-worth, confidence, and self-compassion to rebuild your sense of self and intuition. 

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• Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that promote your well-being and help you heal from the emotional scars left by the abuse. 

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• Embrace Change: Be open to new experiences and interests that align with your values and self-image. 

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• Stay Committed to Personal Growth: Dedicate time to personal growth and self-discovery, which can help you move past the abuse and reclaim your intuition. 

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  Remember, healing from narcissistic abuse is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and a toolbox of strategies to dismantle the control and rebuild the foundation of your life on your terms. 

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Here's an in-depth article from mindpsychiatrist.com on "Rebuilding Your Life After Narcistic Abuse".

Rebuilding Yourself After a Narcissist: Steps to Restore Self-Worth and Well-Being - Mind Psychiatrist

5. Somatic Awareness:

Body Scan:

Here's a YOUTUBE from the "Chronic Pain Collective"

(863) 5 minute Somatic Tracking Bodyscan Meditation - YouTube

Tasha Ina Church includes a summary about Somatic Awareness here. Here is a free handout from thebestinstitutepractices.org 

df86620-f18b-a45a-c285-dce886f4d4e6_SomaticTherapyWorkbook-Final.pdf

Guided Visualization to connect emotions with the body

Guided visualization connects emotions to the body by creating vivid mental images that evoke feelings of calmness, peace, and stability. This technique helps individuals to invoke feelings of relaxation and a sense of control, which can directly impact symptoms like pain and anxiety. Research shows that visualization can effectively reduce pain, lower blood pressure, and enhance overall mood, demonstrating its therapeutic benefits. By focusing on serene imagery or specific scenarios, individuals can invoke feelings of calmness, peace, and stability, leading to physical relaxation and emotional regulation. 

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Realitypathing.com has an article about "Balancing the Emotions Using Guided Visualizations."

How to Balance Emotions Using Guided Visualization

At the end of this topic and series, Tasha Ina Church includes her own "Somatic Awareness Guided Body Scan" for us to do and answer the questions at the end of the practice. 

SOMATIC AWARENESS PRACTICE: GUIDED BODY SCAN PURPOSE

 To reconnect with your body and notice where emotions live within you.

 1.Find a quiet, comfortable space. Sit or lie down.

 2. Close your eyes and take three slow breaths in through your nose, out through your mouth. 

3. Gently bring your attention to different parts of your body, one at a time: Your head and face — are your muscles tight or relaxed? Your shoulders — are you holding tension here? Your chest — what happens when you breathe in? Your stomach — do you feel soft, tight, or fluttery? Your hands and feet — what sensations are present?

 4. As you scan your body, simply notice what’s there. No need to judge or change it.

 5. When finished, take one deep breath and thank your body for communicating with you. 

Take a moment to reflect.....

What did my body tell me today?

   Where do I feel safety? Where do I feel tension?

Note: After completing Tasha's Body Scan, I experienced something new! Usually, I have a tightness in my throat and chest. I didn't today! This gives me hope!

I hope you have learned something or related to something today. Thanks for joining me. I hope you'll continue to join me until I get to the end of this certification!

Peace and Compassion,

Laura