You don’t have to be sure of everything to take your next step. You just have to trust yourself enough to try.
Dear Survivor,
One of the most painful effects of narcissistic abuse is how it breaks your trust in your own perception. You begin to question your memory, your instincts, even your feelings. You’re told you’re too sensitive. That your concerns are overreactions. That you imagined the harm.
Eventually, the confusion seeps in. You start apologizing for everything. You second-guess your voice. You look to others for answers that used to live inside you. This is not weakness. It’s the impact of sustained manipulation.
Rebuilding trust after narcissistic abuse is about returning to the parts of you that always knew the truth.
Healing begins with noticing. When something feels off, pause. Instead of dismissing it, ask yourself: “What might this feeling be trying to tell me?” You may not always have immediate answers, but the act of asking reconnects you with your inner guidance.
Start with small acts of self-trust:
- Say no when something doesn’t feel right.
- Take space from people who drain you.
- Journal your feelings and honor them without needing to justify them.
These practices may feel foreign at first. That’s okay. They are muscles that strengthen with time. Each time you validate your own experience, you send a message to your nervous system: “I hear you. I believe you. You matter.”
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present with yourself.
The journey from confusion to clarity is not a straight line. It is layered and tender. But it is also deeply possible. If you’d like a space to reflect and rebuild that sense of trust, the Reclaiming Strength Workbook is a supportive place to begin.
You can trust yourself again. And that trust will become your compass.
Blessings and healing,
Catrina
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