The biggest mistake you can make is allowing anyone to disrupt your daily routine. But when you’re dealing with narcissistic abuse, it can happen without you even realizing it. Little by little, the things you used to do every day start to feel like a struggle. The narcissist’s constant demands, moods, and control sneak into every corner of your life. Suddenly, you’re living on their schedule, not yours.
Today, we’re going to dive into some weird ways narcissistic abuse can mess with your daily routine. You might be surprised at how much impact it has on even the most minor parts of your day. Are you ready for number one?
1. You rearrange your schedule for the narcissist.
When you’re dealing with narcissistic abuse, your daily routine gets hijacked because you end up constantly rearranging your schedule to cater to the narcissist. You might drop everything, even urgent tasks, just to meet their demands. As a result, you have little to no time for yourself. You’re always on call, prioritizing their needs over yours, which can lead to burnout and stress.
Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a psychologist who specializes in narcissism, says narcissists are all about control, and they thrive when they can manipulate others to fit into their world. It leaves you scrambling to make up for lost time on your tasks, throwing your entire day into chaos. To overcome this, set clear boundaries by prioritizing your needs and practicing saying no to their demands.
2. You change how you dress.
When you’re stuck in a narcissistic relationship, even something as simple as getting dressed becomes stressful. Instead of choosing clothes you like, you start thinking about what won’t upset or trigger them. You might avoid certain outfits or colors to keep the peace because you never know what might set them off.
Dr. Craig Malin, a psychologist who specializes in narcissism, says that people in these relationships often lose their sense of self because they’re constantly adjusting to someone else’s demands. So, your daily routine gets hijacked; what you wear isn’t about your style anymore—it’s about survival. Reclaim your sense of self by choosing outfits that make you feel good and comfortable, regardless of their reactions. Remember this: your style matters.
3. You give up your hobbies.
When you’re dealing with narcissistic abuse, you might give up your hobbies because the things you once loved either feel pointless or spark arguments with the narcissist. You spend so much energy trying to avoid conflict or criticism that doing something for yourself seems like a hassle. Over time, you stop doing the things that bring you joy just to keep the peace.
As psychologist Dr. Judith Olaf points out, narcissists want your full attention on them, and anything that takes focus away is seen as a threat. So, you push aside your hobbies, and your daily routine becomes about managing the narcissist’s moods instead of living your own life. Listen closely: reclaim your joy by scheduling time for the activities you love and setting boundaries with the narcissist. Keep this in mind: pursuing your interests is essential for your well-being.
4. You skip meals.
When you’re dealing with narcissistic abuse, skipping meals can become part of your daily routine without you even realizing it. It’s like food takes a backseat because you’re so stressed or emotionally drained that you just don’t have the energy to care about eating. Dr. Ramani Durvasula talks about how constant anxiety or tension in abusive relationships can mess with your appetite, making it feel unimportant.
You might get so caught up in trying to keep the peace or avoiding conflict that you forget to take care of yourself, and eating becomes the first thing you ignore. Remember this: prioritize your nutrition by setting regular meal times and preparing simple, healthy snacks to ensure you fuel your body, even during stressful moments.
5. You skip basic hygiene.
When you’re caught up in narcissistic abuse, you might start skipping basic hygiene because their constant demands take over your life. You’re so focused on what they want that your needs, like showering or brushing your teeth, just don’t seem as important anymore. It’s like your energy gets drained trying to keep them happy, leaving you too exhausted to care for yourself.
Therapist Dr. Shannon Thomas says narcissistic abuse leads to self-neglect as survivors prioritize the abuser’s needs over their own. Before you know it, your routine falls apart, and you feel you can’t even manage the basics. Take note of this: prioritize self-care by scheduling regular times for your hygiene routines. Remember this: taking care of yourself is as important as meeting others’ needs.
6. You feel anxious about time.
Anxiety becomes your constant companion when you’re dealing with narcissistic abuse. It creeps into every part of your day. You might wake up feeling tense, like walking on eggshells, constantly worrying about what might set the narcissist off next. This anxiety seeps into everything, whether you’re at work, running errands, or even relaxing at home—it’s always there.
Dr. Ramani Durvasula explains that chronic stress can make it hard to focus or enjoy anything because you’re always in survival mode. Your daily routine starts revolving around managing your anxiety, leaving little room for peace or normalcy. Consider this: practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to help ground yourself and create moments of calm throughout your day.
7. Your sleep is often disrupted.
Disrupted sleep can turn your daily routine upside down, leaving you groggy and irritable as you toss and turn all night or wake up from vivid nightmares. As noted by Dr. Judith Olaf, this lack of rest makes it hard to focus on work or enjoy time with friends and can lead to a cycle of anxiety that affects your mood and energy levels.
You might rely on caffeine to get through the day, which can worsen anxiety. It traps you in a loop where sleep problems create stress, and stress prevents sleep. Take note of this: limit screen time before bed and create a relaxing sleep environment to improve your chances of restful slumber.
8. You feel lost.
Feeling lost after narcissistic abuse can make your daily routine feel aimless as you go through the motions while questioning the purpose of your actions. As noted by therapist Dr. Alexandra Solomon, simple activities like going to work or spending time with friends may feel empty. It leads to disconnection from what truly matters.
This struggle can cause you to avoid things you once enjoyed and make it challenging to set future goals. It makes you feel stuck and drained. To overcome this, reconnect with your interests and values by setting small, meaningful daily goals that remind you of what brings you joy and purpose.
9. You have difficulty making decisions.
After experiencing narcissistic abuse, making decisions can feel daunting. It leaves you paralyzed over simple choices like what to wear or eat. As psychologist Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson noted, this decision fatigue can erode confidence. It leads to constantly seeking others’ opinions, amplifying helplessness.
As a result, everyday activities become overwhelming, draining your energy and motivation. Consider this tip: start with small choices and trust your instincts, gradually building the confidence to make decisions independently.
10. You experience constant fatigue.
Constant fatigue from narcissistic abuse can leave you feeling drained, making even simple tasks seem impossible. As life coach Kelsey Dara notes, emotional exhaustion can deplete your energy quickly, affecting your ability to focus, socialize, or stay active. This fatigue often leads to canceling plans or skipping self-care, creating a cycle of exhaustion and frustration.
To break free, prioritize self-care by keeping a regular sleep routine, taking short breaks, and incorporating light exercise to recharge. Indeed, narcissistic abuse does more than just mess with your emotions; it creeps into your daily routine in ways you may not even notice at first. It turns the most basic tasks into a battle.
However, recognizing these changes is the first step toward taking back control. Your routine should be about you, not someone else’s demands or moods. It’s important to start putting yourself first again, little by little, until you feel like you’re back in charge of your own life. Healing takes time. Remember this: getting your routine back on track is crucial.
Read More: 10 Warning Signs That You Are in A Narcissistic Relationship.
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