7 Things That Happen When You Start Pulling Away (Narcissist Behaviour Explained)

The moment you start pulling back… something shifts.

They notice.
Not always consciously, not always immediately—but the dynamic changes. And when it does, their behaviour often changes with it.

What once felt distant can suddenly feel attentive. What felt one-sided can suddenly feel balanced. And that shift can be confusing—especially if you’ve been waiting for it all along.

But this isn’t random.

In dynamics often linked to Narcissistic Personality Disorder, behaviour is closely tied to control, attention, and emotional access. When you start creating distance, that access is threatened—and a response follows.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

Here are seven things that often happen when you start pulling away.

1. They Become Attentive Again

Out of nowhere, they seem present.

More engaged. More interested. More aware of you. The version of them you were hoping for suddenly shows up—and it can feel validating.

But notice the timing.

That attentiveness didn’t appear when you were giving everything. It appeared when you started stepping back.

This isn’t always about genuine change—it’s often about restoring the dynamic.

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2. More Messages, More Effort

The energy shifts quickly.

More texts. Faster replies. More consistency. It can feel like things are finally aligning.

And naturally, that makes you pause.

Because if they can show up like this now… why didn’t they before?

That question matters.

Because effort that only appears in response to distance isn’t the same as effort that’s consistent.

3. Playing the Victim

When attention alone doesn’t pull you back in, the focus can shift emotionally.

Now it’s about how they feel. What they’re going through. What they’ve been dealing with.

“You’re pulling away.”
“You’ve changed.”
“I don’t feel like you care anymore.”

And somehow, you end up feeling guilty.

The narrative moves away from what caused you to step back—and onto your decision to create distance.

4. Bringing Up Good Memories

They remind you of what was good.

Shared moments. Inside jokes. Times when everything felt easy and real.

And those memories are real.

But they’re also selective.

Because they highlight the connection—without addressing what disrupted it.

This can pull you back emotionally, even if nothing has actually changed in the present.

5. Sudden Apologies and Promises

Out come the apologies.

“I’m sorry.”
“I’ll do better.”
“Things will be different.”

And for a moment, it can feel like this is the turning point.

But real change takes time. It shows up in patterns, not just words.

When apologies appear only after distance is created, it’s important to look at what happens next—not just what’s being said.

6. Trying to Make You Jealous

Sometimes the response becomes more indirect.

Mentions of other people. New attention. New connections.

Not always obvious—but just enough to make you notice.

Just enough to make you question where you stand.

This can create emotional urgency. A sense that you might lose something if you don’t re-engage.

But again, it’s a reaction to the shift.

7. Acting Like Nothing Happened

And sometimes… there’s no acknowledgment at all.

No conversation. No reflection. No accountability.

They simply act as if everything is normal.

As if the distance, the issues, the reason you stepped back—never existed.

This can be one of the most confusing responses, because it skips over resolution entirely.

Why This Happens

When you start pulling away, you’re not just creating space—you’re changing the dynamic.

Access is reduced. Control is disrupted. The usual pattern no longer works in the same way.

So behaviour adjusts.

Not necessarily out of awareness or intention to change—but as a response to that disruption.

And that’s why it can feel so convincing.

Because it looks like the change you were hoping for.

The Important Difference

There’s a difference between:

Change because something was recognised and worked on
and
Change because something was threatened

One is internal. The other is reactive.

And over time, that difference becomes clear—not in words, but in consistency.

What Keeps People Stuck

The hardest part isn’t recognising the behaviour.

It’s the timing.

Because it shows up right when you’re starting to detach.

Right when you’re gaining clarity.
Right when you’re creating space.

And that can make you question everything.

“Maybe it is changing.”
“Maybe I just needed to communicate differently.”
“Maybe this time will be different.”

But patterns don’t change because you step back once.

They change through sustained effort, accountability, and consistency over time.

Final Thought

Pulling away doesn’t just create distance—it reveals things.

It shows you how someone responds when the dynamic shifts. When they’re no longer receiving the same level of access, attention, or control.

And that response tells you more than the original behaviour ever did.

Because the moment you stop reacting to the shift…
is the moment you start seeing it clearly.

Not as change—but as a reaction to losing what they had.

And that clarity is what allows you to decide what you do next.

Check these out!

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist

15 Rules To Deal With Narcissistic People.: How To Stay Sane And Break The Chain.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

Boundaries with Narcissists: Safeguarding Emotional, Psychological, and Physical Independence.

Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: A Guided Journal for Recovery and Empowerment: Reclaim Your Identity, Build Self-Esteem, and Embrace a Brighter Future

(Sponsored.). https://betterhelp.com/elizabethshaw

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Click on the links below to join Elizabeth Shaw – Life Coach, on social media for more information on Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse.

The online courses are available by Elizabeth Shaw.

🧠 How To Heal From Narcissistic Abuse: A CBT Recovery Program A structured, step-by-step healing program designed to help you rebuild your confidence, regulate triggers, and break trauma bonds using practical CBT-based tools. Learn how to reframe toxic thought patterns, strengthen emotional boundaries, and regain control of your life.

👉 Start your recovery journey here: https://overcoming-narcissist-abuse.teachable.com/l/pdp/how-to-heal-from-narcissistic-abuse-a-cbt-recovery-program

For the full course.

Click here to sign up for the full, Break Free From Narcissistic Abuse, with a link in the course to a free, hidden online support group with fellow survivors.

For the free course.

Click here to sign up for the free online starter course.

To help with overcoming the trauma bond and anxiety course.

Click here for the online course to help you break the trauma bond, and those anxiety triggers.

All about the narcissist Online course.

Click here to learn more about the narcissist personality disorder.

The narcissists counter-parenting.

Click here for more information on recovery from narcissistic abuse, and information on co-parenting with a narcissist.

Elizabeth Shaw is not a Doctor or a therapist. She is a mother of five, a blogger, a survivor of narcissistic abuse, and a life coach, She always recommends you get the support you feel comfortable and happy with. Finding the right support for you. Elizabeth has partnered with BetterHelp (Sponsored.) where you will be matched with a licensed councillor, who specialises in recovery from this kind of abuse.

Click here for Elizabeth Shaw’s Recommended reading list for more information on recovery from narcissistic abuse.

What Do Narcissists Actually Feel? 7 Emotions Explained

What Do Narcissists Actually Feel? (It’s Not What You Think)

Have you ever wondered if they feel anything at all?

Because it doesn’t feel like empathy.
It doesn’t feel like care.
And when you’re on the receiving end of it, it can feel confusing, even disorienting.

But the truth is, people with traits linked to Narcissistic Personality Disorder do experience emotions. The difference is how those emotions are processed—and what drives them.

In healthy relationships, emotions are tied to connection, understanding, and mutual care. In narcissistic dynamics, emotions are often tied to control, validation, and self-protection.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

Here are seven emotions narcissists actually feel—and why they feel so different from what you expect.

1. Anger

Anger is often the most visible emotion.

It doesn’t always show up as shouting or aggression. Sometimes it’s subtle—withdrawal, coldness, or a sharp shift in tone. But it’s there.

When they feel challenged, criticised, or exposed, anger can surface quickly. This is often referred to as a “narcissistic injury”—a threat to their self-image.

The reaction isn’t about resolving the situation. It’s about restoring control.

2. Irritation

Not everything triggers full anger. Sometimes it’s constant, underlying irritation.

Small things—your tone, your timing, your boundaries—can feel like disruptions. Especially if those things limit their control or challenge their expectations.

This can create an environment where you feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells. You start monitoring your behaviour, trying to avoid setting them off.

But the irritation isn’t random—it’s tied to anything that disrupts their sense of control.

3. Jealousy

In healthy relationships, your success or happiness is something to celebrate.

In narcissistic dynamics, it can feel threatening.

Your confidence, independence, or achievements can trigger comparison. Instead of feeling proud of you, they may feel overshadowed or insecure.

This can show up as subtle put-downs, lack of support, or even attempts to undermine what you’re doing.

It’s not always obvious jealousy—but the impact is the same.

4. Resentment

Narcissists don’t tend to let things go easily.

What might seem like a small moment to you can become something they hold onto. Over time, this builds into resentment.

They may bring up past issues, shift blame, or use previous situations against you. Not to resolve them—but to maintain a sense of control or superiority.

This creates a dynamic where nothing ever feels fully resolved.

5. Entitlement

At the core, there is often a strong sense of entitlement.

A belief that they deserve more—more attention, more understanding, more tolerance.

This can lead to double standards. Expectations that apply to you don’t always apply to them.

If you set boundaries, it can be seen as unfair. If they cross them, it can be justified.

This entitlement reinforces the imbalance in the relationship.

6. Hidden Insecurity

Underneath it all, there is often insecurity.

But it’s rarely shown openly.

Instead of expressing vulnerability, it’s masked by control, defensiveness, or ego. The external confidence can hide a deep need for validation.

That’s why criticism, boundaries, or independence can feel so threatening. They don’t just challenge behaviour—they challenge identity.

So instead of facing that insecurity, it’s redirected outward.

7. Emptiness

When there’s no attention, no validation, no external input—there can be a sense of emptiness.

Restlessness. Boredom. A need for something to fill the gap.

This is why external validation becomes so important. Attention, admiration, or even conflict can serve as a way to feel something.

Without it, there can be a noticeable shift.

Why It Feels So Different

This is what makes narcissistic dynamics so confusing.

The emotions are real—but they’re not rooted in connection.

They’re reactive rather than reflective. Protective rather than open.

When you expect empathy, you may get defensiveness.
When you expect accountability, you may get blame.
When you expect care, you may get control.

And over time, that disconnect can make you question your own perception.

The Impact on You

Being in this kind of dynamic doesn’t just affect how you see them—it affects how you see yourself.

You may start:

Questioning your feelings
Minimising your needs
Adjusting your behaviour to avoid conflict

You try to make sense of something that doesn’t follow the same emotional rules.

And that can be exhausting.

The Reality Most People Miss

It’s not that they feel nothing.

It’s that the emotions driving their behaviour are different from what you expect in a healthy relationship.

They’re centred around:

Control
Validation
Self-protection

Not mutual understanding or emotional connection.

Final Thought

Understanding this doesn’t excuse the behaviour.

But it gives you clarity.

Because once you see what’s actually driving it, you stop expecting something that isn’t there.

And that changes how you respond.

Because the more grounded you are in your own reality,
the less their reactions define it.

Check these out!

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist

15 Rules To Deal With Narcissistic People.: How To Stay Sane And Break The Chain.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

Boundaries with Narcissists: Safeguarding Emotional, Psychological, and Physical Independence.

Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: A Guided Journal for Recovery and Empowerment: Reclaim Your Identity, Build Self-Esteem, and Embrace a Brighter Future

(Sponsored.). https://betterhelp.com/elizabethshaw

Advertisements

Click on the links below to join Elizabeth Shaw – Life Coach, on social media for more information on Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse.

The online courses are available by Elizabeth Shaw.

👉 Start your recovery journey here: https://overcoming-narcissist-abuse.teachable.com/l/pdp/how-to-heal-from-narcissistic-abuse-a-cbt-recovery-program

For the full course.

Click here to sign up for the full, Break Free From Narcissistic Abuse, with a link in the course to a free, hidden online support group with fellow survivors.

For the free course.

Click here to sign up for the free online starter course.

To help with overcoming the trauma bond and anxiety course.

Click here for the online course to help you break the trauma bond, and those anxiety triggers.

All about the narcissist Online course.

Click here to learn more about the narcissist personality disorder.

The narcissists counter-parenting.

Click here for more information on recovery from narcissistic abuse, and information on co-parenting with a narcissist.

Click here for Elizabeth Shaw’s Recommended reading list for more information on recovery from narcissistic abuse.

6 Things Narcissists Hate About You (And How They Try to Control You)

6 Things Narcissists Hate About You (And How They Treat You Because of It)

It’s not always about what you’re doing wrong.
Sometimes, it’s exactly what you’re doing right.

There are certain qualities that quietly threaten people with strong narcissistic traits—especially those linked to Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Not because those qualities are negative, but because they disrupt control, ego, and image.

Here are six things they often resent—and how that resentment shows up in the way they treat you.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

1. Your Independence

When you think for yourself, make your own decisions, and don’t rely on them completely, it challenges their sense of control.

At first, they may admire it. But over time, it becomes something they try to weaken.

They might:

Question your choices
Plant seeds of doubt
Subtly suggest you’re making mistakes

The goal isn’t to help you—it’s to make you second-guess yourself, so you start leaning on them more.

2. Your Confidence

Confidence makes you harder to manipulate. When you trust your own judgement, you’re less likely to accept distorted narratives or unfair treatment.

That’s why they often chip away at it.

Not always directly—but through:

Backhanded compliments
Comparisons to others
Quiet criticism disguised as “help”

Over time, this can lower how you see yourself—making you easier to influence.

3. Your Boundaries

Boundaries are one of the biggest threats.

When you say “no,” express limits, or stand your ground, it disrupts what they expect: access, compliance, and control.

So they test those boundaries.

You may notice:

Repeated pushing after you’ve said no
Ignoring your limits altogether
Emotional reactions like anger, guilt-tripping, or withdrawal

Holding your boundaries often triggers a reaction—not because they’re wrong, but because they’re effective.

4. Your Happiness

When your happiness doesn’t depend on them, their influence weakens.

They can’t control your mood. They can’t position themselves as the source of your emotional stability.

So tension gets introduced.

This might look like:

Disrupting good moments
Withdrawing attention when you’re happy
Shifting focus back onto themselves

It creates an imbalance—where your joy becomes something they need to interrupt rather than support.

5. Your Other Relationships

Strong connections outside of them reduce their control.

Friends, family, or support systems offer perspective—something that can challenge their narrative.

So they may try to interfere.

This can include:

Questioning others’ intentions
Creating subtle doubt about your relationships
Encouraging distance or isolation

It’s not always obvious. But over time, it can leave you feeling more alone—and more dependent on them.

6. Your Ability to See Through Them

This is the biggest threat of all.

The moment you start noticing patterns—shifts in behaviour, inconsistencies, manipulation—the dynamic changes.

Because now, their usual strategies don’t work the same way.

In response, they may:

Deny what’s happening
Deflect responsibility
Turn the situation back onto you

This is often where confusion intensifies. Not because you’re wrong—but because the narrative is being actively reshaped to maintain control.

Why This Pattern Feels So Confusing

One of the most difficult parts of dealing with this dynamic is that it’s not constant.

There are moments of warmth, connection, and clarity. Times where things feel genuine.

That inconsistency is what makes it hard to step back.

Because the behaviour isn’t always negative—it’s unpredictable.

And unpredictability creates emotional attachment.

The Reality Most People Miss

It’s easy to internalise this kind of treatment.

To assume:

“Maybe I’m too sensitive”
“Maybe I’m overthinking”
“Maybe I am the problem”

But when healthy traits—independence, confidence, boundaries—consistently trigger negative reactions, it’s worth looking at the pattern differently.

Those qualities aren’t the issue.

They’re the reason the dynamic doesn’t work the way the other person wants it to.

What This Means for You

Recognising these patterns isn’t about labelling someone—it’s about understanding your experience.

Because once you see it clearly, a few things shift:

You stop taking everything personally
You begin trusting your own perception again
You recognise manipulation when it happens
You hold onto the parts of yourself that were being challenged

And most importantly—you realise that the very things being targeted are actually your strengths.

Final Thought

It’s not about you being the problem.
It’s about what you represent.

Independence. Confidence. Boundaries. Awareness.

The more grounded you stay in those things, the less control anyone has over you.

And that’s exactly why they react to them in the first place.

Check these out!

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist

15 Rules To Deal With Narcissistic People.: How To Stay Sane And Break The Chain.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

Boundaries with Narcissists: Safeguarding Emotional, Psychological, and Physical Independence.

Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: A Guided Journal for Recovery and Empowerment: Reclaim Your Identity, Build Self-Esteem, and Embrace a Brighter Future

(Sponsored.). https://betterhelp.com/elizabethshaw

Advertisements

Click on the links below to join Elizabeth Shaw – Life Coach, on social media for more information on Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse.

The online courses are available by Elizabeth Shaw.

👉 Start your recovery journey here: https://overcoming-narcissist-abuse.teachable.com/l/pdp/how-to-heal-from-narcissistic-abuse-a-cbt-recovery-program

For the full course.

Click here to sign up for the full, Break Free From Narcissistic Abuse, with a link in the course to a free, hidden online support group with fellow survivors.

For the free course.

Click here to sign up for the free online starter course.

To help with overcoming the trauma bond and anxiety course.

Click here for the online course to help you break the trauma bond, and those anxiety triggers.

All about the narcissist Online course.

Click here to learn more about the narcissist personality disorder.

The narcissists counter-parenting.

Click here for more information on recovery from narcissistic abuse, and information on co-parenting with a narcissist.

Click here for Elizabeth Shaw’s Recommended reading list for more information on recovery from narcissistic abuse.

Why Do Narcissists Move On So Quickly? 7 Reasons Explained

Why Do Narcissists Move On So Quickly? (7 Reasons It Feels So Confusing)

Few things feel as unsettling as watching someone move on quickly after a relationship ends—especially when that relationship felt real, intense, and meaningful to you. It can leave you questioning everything: Did it matter? Was any of it genuine? How can they be fine so quickly?

The speed can feel personal. But more often than not, it reflects how they process relationships—not your worth or the significance of what you shared.

Here are seven reasons why it can happen.

1. It Wasn’t About Deep Connection

What felt like a deep emotional bond to you may not have been experienced in the same way by them. In many cases, the relationship was built around attention, validation, or control rather than genuine emotional connection.

So when it ends, they don’t experience the same level of loss. It’s not that nothing happened—it’s that the meaning attached to it was different.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

2. They Need Constant Validation

For some people, being alone is uncomfortable. Instead of sitting with difficult emotions, they seek immediate distraction or replacement. Moving on quickly becomes a way to maintain a sense of self-worth through external attention.

Rather than processing the end of the relationship, they fill the space it leaves.

3. They Prepared Before It Ended

Often, the emotional exit happens long before the physical one. They may have already detached, reduced their investment, or even started forming a new connection before things officially ended.

So what looks like “moving on quickly” may actually be the final step in a process that began much earlier.

4. They Avoid Accountability

Taking time to reflect after a relationship ends requires honesty and accountability. It involves recognising patterns, acknowledging mistakes, and facing uncomfortable truths.

Moving on quickly can bypass all of that. If there’s no pause, there’s no reflection. And without reflection, there’s no need to take responsibility.

5. It Protects Their Image

Appearances can matter. Moving on quickly can create the impression that they are unaffected, in control, or even better off. It supports a narrative where nothing meaningful was lost.

This can be particularly confusing if you’re still processing the experience, as it creates a sharp contrast between your reality and what they present to others.

6. They Repeat the Same Pattern

Rather than representing growth or closure, quick transitions often signal repetition. The same dynamics—intensity, charm, attention—can reappear with someone new.

From the outside, it may look like a fresh start. In reality, it’s often the same cycle continuing with a different person.

7. It Creates Confusion for You

Perhaps the most difficult part is how it makes you feel. When someone moves on quickly, it can lead to doubt and self-questioning: Did I imagine it? Was I not enough?

But this confusion isn’t accidental. It’s a by-product of inconsistency and mismatched emotional processing. You’re trying to make sense of something that doesn’t follow the same emotional rules you expected.

Making Sense of It

It’s important to separate two things: what the relationship meant to you, and how the other person behaves after it ends. One does not invalidate the other.

Your experience can be genuine, meaningful, and real—even if they move on quickly.

Moving Forward

Instead of focusing on how quickly they appear to move on, it can be more helpful to look at patterns. Were things consistent? Did actions match words? Did the relationship feel stable, or did it rely on intensity and uncertainty?

These questions often provide more clarity than their behaviour after the fact.

Final Thought

They don’t move on quickly because it was meaningless to you.

They move on quickly because they don’t process it in the same way.

And what looks like moving on…
is often just moving into the same cycle with someone else.

Check these out!

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of A Narcissist

15 Rules To Deal With Narcissistic People.: How To Stay Sane And Break The Chain.

A Narcissists Handbook: The ultimate guide to understanding and overcoming narcissistic and emotional abuse.

Boundaries with Narcissists: Safeguarding Emotional, Psychological, and Physical Independence.

Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: A Guided Journal for Recovery and Empowerment: Reclaim Your Identity, Build Self-Esteem, and Embrace a Brighter Future

(Sponsored.). https://betterhelp.com/elizabethshaw

Advertisements

Click on the links below to join Elizabeth Shaw – Life Coach, on social media for more information on Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse.

The online courses are available by Elizabeth Shaw.

👉 Start your recovery journey here: https://overcoming-narcissist-abuse.teachable.com/l/pdp/how-to-heal-from-narcissistic-abuse-a-cbt-recovery-program