4 ways to forgive your narcissists parents and why you should
Forgiving someone who has wronged you can be one of the most challenging things to do. It’s not always easy to forgive, especially when the person who has hurt you is someone you love and trust, like your parents. And if you have grown up with a narcissistic parent, you might find it even harder to forgive them.
Narcissistic parents can cause immense emotional pain to their children. They are often self-centered, demanding, and critical and may show little empathy or concern for their children’s feelings. If you have a narcissistic parent, you might have grown up feeling like you were never good enough or that your feelings didn’t matter.
But as difficult as it may be, forgiving your narcissistic parent can be essential to healing and moving on. Here’s why.
Forgiveness can be empowering.
When we forgive someone hurting us, we regain our power. Instead of letting our emotions control us, we choose to let go of our anger and resentment. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we condone or forget what the other person did. It means that we have decided to move forward and release ourselves from the burden of negative emotions.
Forgiveness can improve your mental health.
Holding onto anger and resentment can harm your mental health. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems. On the other hand, forgiveness has been shown to affect mental health positively. Studies have found that forgiving others can lead to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Forgiveness can improve your relationships.
Holding onto anger and resentment towards others can create a barrier between the people we care about and us. Forgiving someone can help break down that barrier and lead to closer, more meaningful relationships. If you can forgive your narcissistic parent, it may improve your relationship with them or at least make it more bearable.
How to forgive your narcissistic parent
If you’re ready to start working towards forgiveness, here are some tips that may help:
1. Acknowledge your pain
Before you can begin to forgive, you must acknowledge the pain your narcissistic parent has caused you. It’s okay to feel angry, hurt, or resentful. Allow yourself to feel those emotions, and then try to let them go.
2. Set boundaries
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you have to allow your narcissistic parent to continue to hurt you. It’s important to set boundaries and to communicate clearly with them about what behaviors are not acceptable.
3. Practice self-care
Forgiving someone can be emotionally draining, so caring for yourself is crucial. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and do things that make you happy.
4. Seek support
Forgiving a narcissistic parent can be a difficult journey, so seeking support from others is essential. Consider talking to a therapist, joining a support group, or confiding in a trusted friend or family member.
In conclusion, forgiving a narcissistic parent is not easy, but it can be a decisive step toward healing and moving forward. Acknowledging your pain, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and seeking support are essential. Remember that forgiveness is a process, and it may take time. But in the end, it can be one of the most empowering and liberating things you can do for yourself.
(Download my books:
- Bye-bye to My Narcissist — An easy-to-read Master Guide to Understanding and Healing from Narcissistic Abuse. Download it here)
- My other book: Real Tales of Regular People: Surviving a Narcissist. Get it here)
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