1 month no contact. I made a list of all of the horrible things he's done and wow it's been so helpful in keeping myself from thinking of some fantasy in my mind and staying in reality.
Tell me about it. That fake fantasy that we concoct, that doesn’t exist , of who they were pretending to be in the beginning of the relationship. That fantasy thinking only anchors the entrapment more . That is excellent that you were able to do that and very encouraging. I know it’s not easy but you’re on the right path ! 🤗
I'm only reading this a year down the line and I feel for you . I'm hoping that your situation has improved . Drop me a thumbs up or if you'd like to say anything , say ..
Oh my God. I’m 60 years old and that’s the first time I’ve heard of this. My sister and I can’t remember our childhood. Where has this been all my life!!!!
Exactly!!!!! I am the same. 64 years old. This video explains so much. Finally I can make sense of the madness I have been living in. It's not me, it's my brain. So useful to know. Very grateful. All the best to you. I intend to make the most of every moment. I hope you find joy.❤
For me strangers pointed out abusive toxic behaviors geared toward me. Only relatives kept me in cognitive dissonance people I didn't know brought me out.
For me, my husband brought it to notice but kept not following his advice or his suggestions as I was in cognitive dissonance at that time.. Thankfully, after my discard I know he was always correct in certain situations, and my intuitions were right all along but I had suppressed it due to cognitive dissonance, my own original family, and probably society too for which all I give a bullshit if they harass me by not believing in the truth I showed them openly and I have NO/LESS EMPATHY LEFT TOWARDS my own family members who belittles me, invalidates me, and even betrays me to the point of unacceptable behaviour. Guess they are all in cognitive dissonance now and they need to come out of it on their own as the truth I keep telling, these cunning narcs twists and turns everything and those stupid family members get brainwashed. I seriously wonder whether narc is so good at manipulating things or other innocent people around are dumb. Then, I remind myself that I was also dumb to see the evil behaviour of the narc in my own family.
Thank you so very much for this video. At almost 60 I've come to the realisation that I survived the extreme cognitive dissonance in my toxic family by projecting intrinsic goodness on others, endowing people with qualities that they just do not possess. Something I did to survive the horror that I lived through as a child became automatic and continued into adulthood. An illusion that came at great cost but kept me sane. Seeing reality as it is was an enormous shock, I lost many people that I love dearly, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I am liberated from illusion and am very grateful for it. Truth = Peace.
5 months no contact. Thought I was good but this past week been so hard. Officially filed for divorce,waiting for Satan to get her notice and realize she will stand accountable for her actions. This pain is unbearable.,…. I’ve never felt pain like this. Hurts so much to accept that it was all fake in her part and she moved on immediately like our marriage never meant anything at all to her. I’m taking it a day at a time but man this is painful. Praying for strength
Darreldesrosiers8921, I know exactly how you are feeling. I went through a lot of emotional abuse and manipulation in my marriage but I loved her very much and I still feel like I do. Our relationship got to the point where I had to get a restraining order against her. It hurt so much having to do that against my wife of all people. I never ever wanted to do anything to hurt her. I honestly only wanted to love her and give her a good life and show her that not all men are bad. Well, it's been since September 29th since we separated. While I was away from our apartment I had to serve her that restraining order. She moved out as soon as she found out about it. She just about cleaned me out. Took most everything down to the kitchen trash can. A few weeks after that I started the divorce process reluctantly. Most of me didn't want to do it and I still don't. She was barely served a week ago today. I breakdown and cry every single day missing her. I've even gone as far as trying to reach out to her through our church pastor to see if she's willing to try counseling and also sent her flowers telling her I miss her. She hasn't responded. Even though I went through so much with her, I don't feel any unforgiveness towards her. I only feel love for her and I feel like I want nothing more than to fix our marriage and for us to be together. I can't stop forgetting about the special moments and the good times that we did have. Just like you said, the pain is unbearable. I really don't even know if the person I still love is really that person. Ever since I served her the restraining order I haven't heard one word from her. I even dropped the restraining order at our last hearing. Still I haven't heard one word from her. For all I know, she may have moved on already. I completely agree with you, I have never in my life felt pain like this. I'm even having to see a therapist, for the first time in my life over this. I miss her so much.
I got the narcissist to leave last night. It took me 5 months of work to make this happen but I did it. I didn’t have a job but I opened a new bank account and got a new job in November. I try to focus on what is necessary.
@@laurac.9322 thank you! Before it happens you think how can I do this? How can I get through this? But I reached a point where I knew I am not going to move backwards only forward. I don't care how hard anything was better than where I was.
No one has ever explained what I experienced this well. You described it to a tee. I thought I was going crazy, but I know if you can describe it in such detail, I am not crazy. I was really experiencing that. Thank you
"Yes they did it, but they've apologized and feel sorry. Shouldn't I forgive and turn the other cheek or I'll be worse than them?"....another thought pattern that keeps you trapped.....right?
Yeah. I believe this is REALLY challenging when it comes to having a toxic relationship with a parent/parents or vice versa. Because you want to believe they love you and have your best interest. Plus the world tend to encourage you to let go of toxic romantic partners or what have you. But the world will teach you to do the opposite when it comes to toxic family members. And this should be applicable to anyone that you are in a toxic relationship with.
Oh My goodness! God is soo good to bring me to your video! Thank you so much! Seeing your child say these things out loud of what he’s experiencing is painful. I’m glad this helps me understand and can help him heal.
Thank u for this.. I have obviously been suffering from this.. these people are so evil.. how they manipulate others.. it’s demonic.. as u have to be a demon to be so skilful at it.
That is what it feels like and when they turn on you...when you are looking in their eyes and see norhing bur hate that us what you are battling a denon. The person doesnt even lookthe same.
the desk is the mother of the chair, because it’s at a higher spot, hierarchically speaking, it protects the chair, somewhat completes a bigger vision of the desk and the chair, they belong together, but there’s a space between them; they can exist independently. Also I believe the desk offers a place where the chair can fit, the chair can adjust its hight, the table is fixed.
Thank you so much for your knowledge. You taught me about reactive abuse. And it took my some time to learn to shut up. Observe don't absorb. We end up going to our abuser because we don't feel good then they take credit for solving the problem they caused. And reading about the disorder in grad school was no help. When you experience it and listen to people with an open mind they sometimes give you the answers you need. This is a great channel. My family has rigid rules and functions like one person; no one but me sees this rigidity. They were raised by 2 narcs and they married narc and some of them are narcissist. As a clinician i can tell you this. It's terrible i cut of my original family. They( the healthy ones) of course don't want to hear it ; so i say nothing and watch actions. Yes you blame yourself first. Keep your mouth shut- your only giving them ammunition to use against you. Self preservation be quiet. She's correct!
Excellent tips! This is by far the best video on cognitive dissonance I’ve seen, and I have been researching daily. I want my brain to stop spinning so desperately! Thank you Michelle. Your explanation of the brain chemistry is very helpful. I believe I can take some steps forward.
The question.... Desk is the mother of the chair because it is an adaptation to try to make yourself and comfortable as possible while dealing with crap on your desk. I'm of course completely negating the sit/stand up desk I'm on right now because my cat is comfortably napping on my $1500 chair.....LOL...And the follow up is that there's nothing more difficult for our brains to do is try and reconcile the creation of so much emotional trauma and pain from the ones (parents and girlfriends in my case) that supposedly love us. What I used to do is rerun every freaking interaction through my head. I would do this for hours, sometimes days. Basically replaying those recent events and replaying if I had done or said one small thing different. It was freaking exhausting if not damn near debilitating. I'm so happy that's no longer the case and I can think again.... now to resume your awesome video :)... damnit. I was wrong....LOL, but I'm completely demonstrating your point (with my own spin...LOL) These experiences, until you figure out how to break free of them will damn near turn you into an invalid.... and yes.... you focus on the one good thing, ignoring the 1000 bad things. You fall in love with someone that isn't who you create them to be. I could never "delete" as you describe though. I remembered most all of it and that's part of what allowed me to finally (after decades) break the cycle. Great video as always. And the biologicals... yes.... ups your cortisol through the roof. This is because you're constantly in a fight or flight state. I used a few herbs to help calm it down as it was also affecting my thyroid and other things that were all symptoms of those different hormones being out of whack. I'm 100% against SSRIs..... I used ashwaganda (sp?) and a few other herbs that helped along with supplements like B&D Vitamins and Iodine (kelp and Lugols).
Thank you for explaining. After 15 yrs of narc abuse,I just escaped 23 days ago,no contact & I'm learning more n more & I feeling more peaceful than I am not losing my mind
It’s nature calling you to become more emotionally strong with clarity of thought and perspective by your physical body wants to adopt same types of situations effortlessly by threatening your soul ❤
We place priority on the desk, almost like it is more important than the chair. I am thinking we have been conditioned to believe getting something accomplished and being productive (which the desk represents) is more important to us than the comfort of the chair. That is why in part you can even find desk that eliminates the chair and have you work standing. I am sure it is in part also to keep people more active. However, our brains cognitively has made the chair less important.
If we do not give unconditional love and acceptance to ourselves, we will look for it outside of ourselves and the predatory abusive individuals can smell it like sharks smell blood and we are in for becoming their targets. Thank you Michele❤
oh wow -- great description - and helps explain why I don't have any memories of my childhood... totally makes sense... I always knew it was a coping mechanism, but never had actual terms to apply to the issue... nice job on your videos... much appreciated.
I have such gratitude, for the simple fact that this, self-help is available to me. Your knowledge? Often, gives me the, 'Heebie- Geebies' When you explain my partner and the majority of their traits, like you know them as well as I? and understand them more, than I? Like you were some secret spy in my life!? 🤣 🤣 Its beyond humbling, and entirely, exhausting... to even entertain in the brain. Gives me a, skull-cramp! Than I do? 😳🤯 And I am almost embarrassed, 😔 ya know? Ashamed? I'm a smarty pants, empath... Lol Its as if I've lost all sense. So, on that? Ty. For making sense of it for me. In a manner that was easy to follow and understand. Humbled in, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦 😊
"We love you, but we are so concerned about you", or they will find subtle ways to minimize you, but tell you they love you anyway. They praise you, but only by comparing you to others and when it can make them look good. My communal narcissistic parents have created so much cognitive dissonance in me because they are always professing their love and support for me until I get out of line. They don't insult me or put me down in obvious ways, they use concern for me and "saving" me to create insecurities in me and to manipulate me. All is fine until I question them, don't appreciate them enough or I try to establish a boundary with them. When I don't behave the way they are comfortable with, I become a toxic, selfish person and don't deserve their love and support. had a friend say how much she loved and appreciated me, but then attack my character when she didn't like what I had to say. I've learned to associate love with fear, obligation an guilt. Thanks Michele, I love how you describe what happens in our brain when we experience emotional abuse and manipulation, and why we can struggle. It helps release some of the shame and why it's so hard to reconcile the love they profess for us with the hurtful behavior. .
This is the most powerful video I've ever watched, that thoroughly explained the biggest mystery involving my abusive marriage of 14 years with a N: Why can't I leave if I know this is so destroying me? Thank You Michele, this is invaluable! I am going to re-listen, and re-listen until this sinks in. TY TY TY.
I use the mirror technique. When ever someone starts to display cruelty, I simply, in a calm voice tell them that I’m a reflection of them self. In saying this, I verbally break down their problem and hand it back to them. It’s important to feel their problem but never hang on to it. Wrap it up in metaphoric package and verbally hand it back in a way that they realise that they are the problem. What you are actually doing is combining their cognitive dissonance into one package, keep handing it back until they realise it.
@@FitnessAnywhere12 Well it’s important to know that their problem isn’t yours to harbour. Keep persisting until they submit. You will notice they will bow their head or go silent from shame. It’s at this point that you let them down gently, by telling them- “I have been your mirror by reflecting you back to you. Do you see, hear & feel yourself now?” The outcome is shame on their behalf. Your reward is seeing them having the confidence to apologise for their actions. It’s vitally important to repeat these steps until they do.
@@FitnessAnywhere12 I’ve had some of the hardest hearted men cry on my shoulder. Crying not only from shame but crying from happiness of the lesson they have just learnt.🙏
I’m coming up to six weeks for about the seventh time going no contact over seventeen years. I’m hoping this time will be the one that sticks. I kept a journal and whenever I weaken I read it. I didn’t hold anything back, and it works. You’ve got to write it before you forget. Which in my case was as soon as my ex finished punishing me with his silent treatment. I was so relieved the silent treatment was over. Now I’m relieved the relationship is over. Now I’m grieving the lost years. 😢
Thank you for your videos. I finally understand cognitive dissonance because of this video. I do write things down but you have given me new ideas also. Understanding what's happening is helping me heal.
Thank you!!!! So happy to know that I've helped even in a small way!! And yes.... the coaching is what helps turn something ugly and awful into something amaaazing!!!! Again thank you for your kind words -sending love and light your way!!
My cognitive dissonance doesn't tell me that I did something wrong to deserve it, or it was my fault... but it always has me saying "yes he did those things, BUT I have also done and said things I shouldn't have and we're all human so to love someone is to overlook those hurtful mistakes" bc I am finally self aware enough to see that I was abusive too. He may have "brought it out in me" but I reacted in pretty crazy ways. So being self aware of my own shortcomings has me justifying their abuse bc I truly believe they don't mean to 🥺 my cognitive dissonance tells me I can fix them with love. (I cant)
Excellent video. I would love to join your school. I can't afford it right now. I do recommend your videos. I've been watching them for about 2 years now. I have benefitted from your videos a lot. And I do share them with others.
I swear everything you say reigns true I’ve never disagreed with anything you’ve ever said and you explain things so deeply like no other narcissist abuse channel and I’ve watched you’re my favorite person to watch and each video helps me tremendously thank you so much for helping us
They unfortunately live amongst us. Ass kissing bosses that have their tongue imbedded there... and yet, treat their employees like the very substance they continually ingest themselves.
The desk came first. The chair is there to serve the one who needs to sit at the desk, otherwise the chair would never be brought into the picture. But fact of the matter is: the chair is an entity all on its own snd in its own right. It is just while it’s by the desk’s side, subservient to ithe MaDesk, but when Mr Chair is good & ready, and has had enough of big ol’ Mother Desk, he will go on to serve in another capacity as he sees fit, and even independently! Go, chair!
Okay, I had an answer, but didn't write it down. I thought it was like a symbolic kinda thing. So what I got is that the desk is the mother of the chair because it is "birthed" from the "womb" (opening beneath it) of the desk. Also because the desk "embraces" (surrounds) the chair, which might be symbolically seen as a protective mode. Alas, many of us likely wouldn't be watching this if our mothers had done that second part.
CPT (cognitive processing therapy) has helped me as I process all of this and work on releasing the stuck points.... it is not an end-all but it has helped! Thank you so much for this video and the great tips, Michele! The writing will help, I know for sure.... all I ever asked for was a fair and honest reciprocal relationship....💞
hey Michele, I want to thank you for having helped me so much I've visited your channel after so long because I wasn't watching narc abuse healing content at all. I really want to know your perspective on why I resist healing l, there has been a phase of healing and being abused again, but even when I know that now I'll have distance, I'm denying myself my need to heal and the plans I had to work with myself, ❤ Thank you again
Reality is a powerful eye opener...speaking from experience. I was Cinderella. Now I am trying with all my heart to be a grown woman. An adult. Worthy of getting back what I give.
I know he doesn't love me. Never has. He's not capable of love. Yeah, they can be really nice when they want something from you. His behavior never made/makes sense. I thought I was the problem for a couple years. I know I'm not the problem now. Narcs just aren't capable of love or support. I no longer want to bond with the narc. He just disgusts me. I don't even WANT to think about the relationship or him.
There's a feeling of being a bad person because you see the negative so you deny whats going on to be the better person. Honestly, its the uncertainty about what to do. Im also 60 years old, too.
Thank you SO much!!!! This is opening to eyes to what I dealt with with my ex husband. I'm still trying to heal but finally understand the deep confusion. This!
People knew my weakness because told they try to break family friends they have used wife against like a weapon now she is a narcissistic person. They don't like 4 years clean they don't like being truthfull that is the way live can't wait to find new place to live hopefully soon 🙏
The desk is the mother of the chair because it is the space of presenting serving. Some important aspects of Femininity presetability -beaity and nurturing-care taking.
When thinking about cognitive dissonance look at fessinger’s research. I think he and his team were the founders of the phenomenon. I studied this at university. Another area that is handy to know is cognitive biases One of which is confirmation bias where we look for information to confirm an existing belief and completely disregard any other information ( like blindness). Thank you Michelle. 😘
I do have a question. Why do us victims of abuse especially from an ex-spouse struggle with feeling guilt over leaving the relationship? Does this have anything to do with the constant blame that we have had put on us?
How I helped my brain/heart with cognitive dissonance was I recorded (without my ex knowing) every time he started fights in order to discard me. I also his recorded his excuses and his apologies when he decided he wanted to come ‘home’ back to me after lying and cheating etc… it honestly took quite a while for it to completely sink in that he had zero real love for me, but when it did, I went no contact in May 2023. At that point, we had been separated for a year and two months. Anyway, I find him a disgusting ugly human being now and I’m grateful for that because that is what he has been all along. 🤮💩
First tip contains presumption that person undergoing THIS harm is EVEN able to discern let alone find or has access to what is a so-termed healthy other, different person or people.
I was like a zombie, full of waiting,and fear,all the rest didn't matter
This 😔
1 month no contact. I made a list of all of the horrible things he's done and wow it's been so helpful in keeping myself from thinking of some fantasy in my mind and staying in reality.
Tell me about it. That fake fantasy that we concoct, that doesn’t exist , of who they were pretending to be in the beginning of the relationship. That fantasy thinking only anchors the entrapment more . That is excellent that you were able to do that and very encouraging. I know it’s not easy but you’re on the right path ! 🤗
it is so hard to make that list I am so reluctant to recall and write and when something happens too
@long story short I feel you 😢
I'm only reading this a year down the line and I feel for you . I'm hoping that your situation has improved . Drop me a thumbs up or if you'd like to say anything , say ..
Thank you for sharing what you did.
I will do this exersice tday
Oh my God. I’m 60 years old and that’s the first time I’ve heard of this. My sister and I can’t remember our childhood. Where has this been all my life!!!!
Exactly!!!!! I am the same. 64 years old. This video explains so much. Finally I can make sense of the madness I have been living in. It's not me, it's my brain. So useful to know. Very grateful. All the best to you. I intend to make the most of every moment. I hope you find joy.❤
Quand
For me strangers pointed out abusive toxic behaviors geared toward me. Only relatives kept me in cognitive dissonance people I didn't know brought me out.
THAT IS BLESSED! VERY GRATEFUL TO HEAR THAT
For me, my husband brought it to notice but kept not following his advice or his suggestions as I was in cognitive dissonance at that time.. Thankfully, after my discard I know he was always correct in certain situations, and my intuitions were right all along but I had suppressed it due to cognitive dissonance, my own original family, and probably society too for which all I give a bullshit if they harass me by not believing in the truth I showed them openly and I have NO/LESS EMPATHY LEFT TOWARDS my own family members who belittles me, invalidates me, and even betrays me to the point of unacceptable behaviour.
Guess they are all in cognitive dissonance now and they need to come out of it on their own as the truth I keep telling, these cunning narcs twists and turns everything and those stupid family members get brainwashed. I seriously wonder whether narc is so good at manipulating things or other innocent people around are dumb. Then, I remind myself that I was also dumb to see the evil behaviour of the narc in my own family.
Never stop trusting your instincts Michelle, your videos are really helping me lots.
Thank you so very much for this video.
At almost 60 I've come to the realisation that I survived the extreme cognitive dissonance in my toxic family by projecting intrinsic goodness on others, endowing people with qualities that they just do not possess.
Something I did to survive the horror that I lived through as a child became automatic and continued into adulthood.
An illusion that came at great cost but kept me sane.
Seeing reality as it is was an enormous shock, I lost many people that I love dearly, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
I am liberated from illusion and am very grateful for it.
Truth = Peace.
I'm hoping your world is a much better place 1 year down the line and that serendipity continues .
I think I’m having this experience… I’ve called it taking my rose colored glasses off to see things as they actually are.
5 months no contact. Thought I was good but this past week been so hard. Officially filed for divorce,waiting for Satan to get her notice and realize she will stand accountable for her actions. This pain is unbearable.,…. I’ve never felt pain like this. Hurts so much to accept that it was all fake in her part and she moved on immediately like our marriage never meant anything at all to her. I’m taking it a day at a time but man this is painful. Praying for strength
How are you? The pain is almost worse than staying 😢
Darreldesrosiers8921, I know exactly how you are feeling. I went through a lot of emotional abuse and manipulation in my marriage but I loved her very much and I still feel like I do. Our relationship got to the point where I had to get a restraining order against her. It hurt so much having to do that against my wife of all people. I never ever wanted to do anything to hurt her. I honestly only wanted to love her and give her a good life and show her that not all men are bad. Well, it's been since September 29th since we separated. While I was away from our apartment I had to serve her that restraining order. She moved out as soon as she found out about it. She just about cleaned me out. Took most everything down to the kitchen trash can. A few weeks after that I started the divorce process reluctantly. Most of me didn't want to do it and I still don't. She was barely served a week ago today. I breakdown and cry every single day missing her. I've even gone as far as trying to reach out to her through our church pastor to see if she's willing to try counseling and also sent her flowers telling her I miss her. She hasn't responded. Even though I went through so much with her, I don't feel any unforgiveness towards her. I only feel love for her and I feel like I want nothing more than to fix our marriage and for us to be together. I can't stop forgetting about the special moments and the good times that we did have. Just like you said, the pain is unbearable. I really don't even know if the person I still love is really that person. Ever since I served her the restraining order I haven't heard one word from her. I even dropped the restraining order at our last hearing. Still I haven't heard one word from her. For all I know, she may have moved on already. I completely agree with you, I have never in my life felt pain like this. I'm even having to see a therapist, for the first time in my life over this. I miss her so much.
I got the narcissist to leave last night. It took me 5 months of work to make this happen but I did it. I didn’t have a job but I opened a new bank account and got a new job in November. I try to focus on what is necessary.
That's a blessing. I prayer your strength in the Lord.
Good for you. God bless you
@@laurac.9322 thank you! Before it happens you think how can I do this? How can I get through this? But I reached a point where I knew I am not going to move backwards only forward. I don't care how hard anything was better than where I was.
No one has ever explained what I experienced this well. You described it to a tee. I thought I was going crazy, but I know if you can describe it in such detail, I am not crazy. I was really experiencing that. Thank you
Thank you for a great description of what cognitive disonace is and how to deal with it. Knowledge is power.
Only when you apply the knowledge will you have power.
Learning to love myself for the first time.
"Yes they did it, but they've apologized and feel sorry. Shouldn't I forgive and turn the other cheek or I'll be worse than them?"....another thought pattern that keeps you trapped.....right?
Yeah. I believe this is REALLY challenging when it comes to having a toxic relationship with a parent/parents or vice versa. Because you want to believe they love you and have your best interest. Plus the world tend to encourage you to let go of toxic romantic partners or what have you. But the world will teach you to do the opposite when it comes to toxic family members. And this should be applicable to anyone that you are in a toxic relationship with.
Oh My goodness! God is soo good to bring me to your video! Thank you so much! Seeing your child say these things out loud of what he’s experiencing is painful. I’m glad this helps me understand and can help him heal.
Right, it's ALL about getting past denial, SO hard and yet a breakthrough. Then - and only then - does the real journey toward healing begin.
Thank u for this.. I have obviously been suffering from this.. these people are so evil.. how they manipulate others.. it’s demonic.. as u have to be a demon to be so skilful at it.
That is what it feels like and when they turn on you...when you are looking in their eyes and see norhing bur hate that us what you are battling a denon. The person doesnt even lookthe same.
Now I understand why I can't remember bad parts of a relationship.
It's not that they weren't there , my my brain moves them .
Thanks
the desk is the mother of the chair, because it’s at a higher spot, hierarchically speaking, it protects the chair, somewhat completes a bigger vision of the desk and the chair, they belong together, but there’s a space between them; they can exist independently. Also I believe the desk offers a place where the chair can fit, the chair can adjust its hight, the table is fixed.
Thank you so much for your knowledge. You taught me about reactive abuse. And it took my some time to learn to shut up. Observe don't absorb. We end up going to our abuser because we don't feel good then they take credit for solving the problem they caused. And reading about the disorder in grad school was no help. When you experience it and listen to people with an open mind they sometimes give you the answers you need. This is a great channel. My family has rigid rules and functions like one person; no one but me sees this rigidity. They were raised by 2 narcs and they married narc and some of them are narcissist. As a clinician i can tell you this. It's terrible i cut of my original family. They( the healthy ones) of course don't want to hear it ; so i say nothing and watch actions. Yes you blame yourself first. Keep your mouth shut- your only giving them ammunition to use against you. Self preservation be quiet. She's correct!
Excellent tips! This is by far the best video on cognitive dissonance I’ve seen, and I have been researching daily. I want my brain to stop spinning so desperately! Thank you Michelle. Your explanation of the brain chemistry is very helpful. I believe I can take some steps forward.
The question.... Desk is the mother of the chair because it is an adaptation to try to make yourself and comfortable as possible while dealing with crap on your desk. I'm of course completely negating the sit/stand up desk I'm on right now because my cat is comfortably napping on my $1500 chair.....LOL...And the follow up is that there's nothing more difficult for our brains to do is try and reconcile the creation of so much emotional trauma and pain from the ones (parents and girlfriends in my case) that supposedly love us. What I used to do is rerun every freaking interaction through my head. I would do this for hours, sometimes days. Basically replaying those recent events and replaying if I had done or said one small thing different. It was freaking exhausting if not damn near debilitating. I'm so happy that's no longer the case and I can think again.... now to resume your awesome video :)... damnit. I was wrong....LOL, but I'm completely demonstrating your point (with my own spin...LOL) These experiences, until you figure out how to break free of them will damn near turn you into an invalid.... and yes.... you focus on the one good thing, ignoring the 1000 bad things. You fall in love with someone that isn't who you create them to be. I could never "delete" as you describe though. I remembered most all of it and that's part of what allowed me to finally (after decades) break the cycle. Great video as always.
And the biologicals... yes.... ups your cortisol through the roof. This is because you're constantly in a fight or flight state. I used a few herbs to help calm it down as it was also affecting my thyroid and other things that were all symptoms of those different hormones being out of whack. I'm 100% against SSRIs..... I used ashwaganda (sp?) and a few other herbs that helped along with supplements like B&D Vitamins and Iodine (kelp and Lugols).
Thank you for explaining. After 15 yrs of narc abuse,I just escaped 23 days ago,no contact & I'm learning more n more & I feeling more peaceful than I am not losing my mind
Then that says why we struggle to move towards our pleasure, even if we can escape our pain…
I did NOT know oxytocin gets dysregulated!!
It’s nature calling you to become more emotionally strong with clarity of thought and perspective by your physical body wants to adopt same types of situations effortlessly by threatening your soul ❤
Because body is shelter of soul to grow and nourish humanity
We place priority on the desk, almost like it is more important than the chair. I am thinking we have been conditioned to believe getting something accomplished and being productive (which the desk represents) is more important to us than the comfort of the chair. That is why in part you can even find desk that eliminates the chair and have you work standing. I am sure it is in part also to keep people more active. However, our brains cognitively has made the chair less important.
If we do not give unconditional love and acceptance to ourselves, we will look for it outside of ourselves and the predatory abusive individuals can smell it like sharks smell blood and we are in for becoming their targets. Thank you Michele❤
This has been the BEST video on cognitive dissonance
oh wow -- great description - and helps explain why I don't have any memories of my childhood... totally makes sense... I always knew it was a coping mechanism, but never had actual terms to apply to the issue... nice job on your videos... much appreciated.
I have such gratitude, for the simple fact that this, self-help is available to me.
Your knowledge? Often, gives me the, 'Heebie- Geebies'
When you explain my partner and the majority of their traits, like you know them as well as I? and understand them more, than I? Like you were some secret spy in my life!? 🤣 🤣
Its beyond humbling, and entirely, exhausting... to even entertain in the brain. Gives me a, skull-cramp! Than I do? 😳🤯 And I am almost embarrassed, 😔 ya know?
Ashamed? I'm a smarty pants, empath... Lol
Its as if I've lost all sense.
So, on that? Ty. For making sense of it for me. In a manner that was easy to follow and understand.
Humbled in,
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦 😊
This video is sooooo good!!!!
This is exactly what’s happening to me exactly.
"We love you, but we are so concerned about you", or they will find subtle ways to minimize you, but tell you they love you anyway. They praise you, but only by comparing you to others and when it can make them look good.
My communal narcissistic parents have created so much cognitive dissonance in me because they are always professing their love and support for me until I get out of line. They don't insult me or put me down in obvious ways, they use concern for me and "saving" me to create insecurities in me and to manipulate me.
All is fine until I question them, don't appreciate them enough or I try to establish a boundary with them. When I don't behave the way they are comfortable with, I become a toxic, selfish person and don't deserve their love and support.
had a friend say how much she loved and appreciated me, but then attack my character when she didn't like what I had to say. I've learned to associate love with fear, obligation an guilt.
Thanks Michele, I love how you describe what happens in our brain when we experience emotional abuse and manipulation, and why we can struggle. It helps release some of the shame and why it's so hard to reconcile the love they profess for us with the hurtful behavior. .
This is the most powerful video I've ever watched, that thoroughly explained the biggest mystery involving my abusive marriage of 14 years with a N: Why can't I leave if I know this is so destroying me? Thank You Michele, this is invaluable! I am going to re-listen, and re-listen until this sinks in. TY TY TY.
This is exactly where I am. Thank you so much for your video, Michele.
I use the mirror technique. When ever someone starts to display cruelty, I simply, in a calm voice tell them that I’m a reflection of them self. In saying this, I verbally break down their problem and hand it back to them. It’s important to feel their problem but never hang on to it. Wrap it up in metaphoric package and verbally hand it back in a way that they realise that they are the problem.
What you are actually doing is combining their cognitive dissonance into one package, keep handing it back until they realise it.
Interesting. What sorts of outcomes have you experienced
@@FitnessAnywhere12 Well it’s important to know that their problem isn’t yours to harbour. Keep persisting until they submit.
You will notice they will bow their head or go silent from shame. It’s at this point that you let them down gently, by telling them- “I have been your mirror by reflecting you back to you. Do you see, hear & feel yourself now?” The outcome is shame on their behalf. Your reward is seeing them having the confidence to apologise for their actions. It’s vitally important to repeat these steps until they do.
@@FitnessAnywhere12 I’ve had some of the hardest hearted men cry on my shoulder.
Crying not only from shame but crying from happiness of the lesson they have just learnt.🙏
Wow. Thats really quite interesting.
@@FitnessAnywhere12 🙂 Practice makes perfect.🇦🇺
I understand now what I've been going though ...
You changed my life
You’re the BEST!!!
Keep up with the real fight!
Love
Respect
Honesty
Integrity
Truth
Compassion
Re the desk: Because it has a protective nook for the chair to be tucked into and find protection?
I’m coming up to six weeks for about the seventh time going no contact over seventeen years. I’m hoping this time will be the one that sticks. I kept a journal and whenever I weaken I read it. I didn’t hold anything back, and it works. You’ve got to write it before you forget. Which in my case was as soon as my ex finished punishing me with his silent treatment. I was so relieved the silent treatment was over.
Now I’m relieved the relationship is over. Now I’m grieving the lost years. 😢
It's healthy and totally ok to grieve. Just don't stay stuck there. You will waste the rest of your life that way. Peace, and persistence...
Because the chair fits under the desk, making the desk superior
14:30 - it feels like an addiction - even when you want to stop - there's something inside of you that keeps pulling you back
Thank you for your videos. I finally understand cognitive dissonance because of this video. I do write things down but you have given me new ideas also. Understanding what's happening is helping me heal.
So we'll explained,makes more sense than many others ❤️
Mind blown! Exceptional description explanation and guidance. I needed this. My children need this. So happy I found this ❤
The chair moves around, but always comes back to the desk! Lol
I Love You 😘 soooo much!!!! You have helped me beyond belief. I just love that you have been able to heal and to coach!!!!
Thank you!!!! So happy to know that I've helped even in a small way!! And yes.... the coaching is what helps turn something ugly and awful into something amaaazing!!!! Again thank you for your kind words -sending love and light your way!!
My cognitive dissonance doesn't tell me that I did something wrong to deserve it, or it was my fault... but it always has me saying "yes he did those things, BUT I have also done and said things I shouldn't have and we're all human so to love someone is to overlook those hurtful mistakes" bc I am finally self aware enough to see that I was abusive too. He may have "brought it out in me" but I reacted in pretty crazy ways.
So being self aware of my own shortcomings has me justifying their abuse bc I truly believe they don't mean to 🥺 my cognitive dissonance tells me I can fix them with love. (I cant)
This was EXCELLENT thank you 😊
This is my favorite video yet. POWERFUL and so true. It’s frightening
Excellent! What you say here in this video and the way you explain it is... gold!
Excellent video. I would love to join your school. I can't afford it right now. I do recommend your videos. I've been watching them for about 2 years now. I have benefitted from your videos a lot. And I do share them with others.
Nobody does it better coach! We teach what we needed to know the most! u do it w/Love.
This is a very good video. Thank you Michele.
Chairs were created to sit at the desk so the desk/table was there first
Michelle is wise beyond her years ❤
I swear everything you say reigns true I’ve never disagreed with anything you’ve ever said and you explain things so deeply like no other narcissist abuse channel and I’ve watched you’re my favorite person to watch and each video helps me tremendously thank you so much for helping us
Rings, not reigns.
They unfortunately live amongst us. Ass kissing bosses that have their tongue imbedded there... and yet, treat their employees like the very substance they continually ingest themselves.
You are not speaking hypothetically here. You are too young to know these things, without actually having experienced them personally.
The desk came first. The chair is there to serve the one who needs to sit at the desk, otherwise the chair would never be brought into the picture.
But fact of the matter is: the chair is an entity all on its own snd in its own right. It is just while it’s by the desk’s side, subservient to ithe MaDesk, but when Mr Chair is good & ready, and has had enough of big ol’ Mother Desk, he will go on to serve in another capacity as he sees fit, and even independently! Go, chair!
Wow .... so even the desk is a frauduldnt, bad, bogus mother! Go figure!
+Q-S/
xo~A
Very informative, thank you so much! 🙏
Okay, I had an answer, but didn't write it down. I thought it was like a symbolic kinda thing. So what I got is that the desk is the mother of the chair because it is "birthed" from the "womb" (opening beneath it) of the desk. Also because the desk "embraces" (surrounds) the chair, which might be symbolically seen as a protective mode. Alas, many of us likely wouldn't be watching this if our mothers had done that second part.
I was meant to find this randomly today.. UA-cam just started playing it and no coincidence. ♡♡♡ Thank you so much♡♡♡
Beautiful day to you beautiful
SO informative and powerful Michele. I see this reflected in recent situations. A very important program to delete and rewrite!!!
CPT (cognitive processing therapy) has helped me as I process all of this and work on releasing the stuck points.... it is not an end-all but it has helped! Thank you so much for this video and the great tips, Michele! The writing will help, I know for sure.... all I ever asked for was a fair and honest reciprocal relationship....💞
Wow! What a powerful video.
Thank you.
So well explained so grateful 🙏
Thanks for another great video! I'm feeling so much better with your, and others help
So true....had it during 4,5 years, with that person I wanted to be close with , but she rejected so bad , still I keept not being able to get it
hey Michele, I want to thank you for having helped me so much I've visited your channel after so long because I wasn't watching narc abuse healing content at all. I really want to know your perspective on why I resist healing l, there has been a phase of healing and being abused again, but even when I know that now I'll have distance, I'm denying myself my need to heal and the plans I had to work with myself, ❤ Thank you again
Absolutely brilliant thankyou for making CD so much easier to understand
You are the best that I have found by far in explaining what has been going on with me.Hammer on the head of the nail.
Reality is a powerful eye opener...speaking from experience. I was Cinderella. Now I am trying with all my heart to be a grown woman. An adult. Worthy of getting back what I give.
why is the desk the mother to the chair i really have no idea
Very good breakdown
I know he doesn't love me. Never has. He's not capable of love. Yeah, they can be really nice when they want something from you. His behavior never made/makes sense. I thought I was the problem for a couple years. I know I'm not the problem now. Narcs just aren't capable of love or support. I no longer want to bond with the narc. He just disgusts me. I don't even WANT to think about the relationship or him.
There's a feeling of being a bad person because you see the negative so you deny whats going on to be the better person.
Honestly, its the uncertainty about what to do.
Im also 60 years old, too.
Thank you SO much!!!! This is opening to eyes to what I dealt with with my ex husband. I'm still trying to heal but finally understand the deep confusion. This!
Thank you Michele. I needed this today.
I love myself and need to unconditionally love myself. And strengthen my self identity and self esteem.
Untill I started to follow you
my first thought was: because you pull up to it~ I am coming to the desk and the desk will give space to create.
People knew my weakness because told they try to break family friends they have used wife against like a weapon now she is a narcissistic person. They don't like 4 years clean they don't like being truthfull that is the way live can't wait to find new place to live hopefully soon 🙏
This is helping me so much.
Because the chair comes out from between the desk's legs. Apparently, the chair and I are both immature children.
The desk is the mother of the chair because it is the space of presenting serving. Some important aspects of Femininity presetability -beaity and nurturing-care taking.
Nice job at explaining!
Truly powerful! Thank you for the work you do.
the desk is over the chair, it protects the chair, it shelters the chair.
When thinking about cognitive dissonance look at fessinger’s research. I think he and his team were the founders of the phenomenon. I studied this at university.
Another area that is handy to know is cognitive biases One of which is confirmation bias where we look for information to confirm an existing belief and completely disregard any other information ( like blindness).
Thank you Michelle. 😘
I’m going through all of this 😢
Desk is simply mommy because of her size, chair fits so well within desk, like a puzzle piece, chair also feels safe while at rest within desk…
I do have a question. Why do us victims of abuse especially from an ex-spouse struggle with feeling guilt over leaving the relationship? Does this have anything to do with the constant blame that we have had put on us?
Answer....necessity is the mother of inventulion
It is called the mother of the chair because it covers the chair as though it is being protective..
How I helped my brain/heart with cognitive dissonance was I recorded (without my ex knowing) every time he started fights in order to discard me. I also his recorded his excuses and his apologies when he decided he wanted to come ‘home’ back to me after lying and cheating etc… it honestly took quite a while for it to completely sink in that he had zero real love for me, but when it did, I went no contact in May 2023. At that point, we had been separated for a year and two months. Anyway, I find him a disgusting ugly human being now and I’m grateful for that because that is what he has been all along. 🤮💩
First tip contains presumption that person undergoing THIS harm is EVEN able to discern let alone find or has access to what is a so-termed healthy other, different person or people.
Breadcrumbs is what they give you
This is so deep
the desk is the mother to the chair because it creates the space for the chair to have a place/purpose