With an ex boyfriend, I had about a week of basically no contact with them and when I came back, I felt refreshed, like I had a fighting spirit again. Every time they attempted to do their usual BS, I was able to stand my ground with renewed energy. People don't understanding how psychologically, mentally, and emotionally draining it is being with a romantic partner whose a full blown narc. It is never that easy to "just walk out that door" like so many people on the outside will constantly tell you. Surviving a narc is basically the equivalent of setting your hand on fire everyday with the delusional hope that it'll be somehow different. It is SO HARD to get out of these relationships and I wish to god people understood this.
