If youโre trying to get over a narcissist, you know that one of the hardest things to do is create emotional distance from a narcissist. In this blog post, I will discuss 9 ways to put space between yourself and the narcissist in your life.
Narcissists are masters at getting close to you and then using your emotions against you. They make you feel like you canโt live without them, and then they disappear when itโs convenient for them. If you want to break free from their grip, you need to learn how to create emotional distance.
What is the emotional distance?
Narcissists are infamous for their emotional manipulation and lack of empathy. But what is emotional distance, and how can it help you deal with a narcissist?
Emotional distance is the emotional space between you and another person. Itโs the ability to remain calm and clear-headed in the face of someone elseโs drama.
Why do you need to create emotional distance from a Narcissist?
When you have emotional distance, youโre not invested in the other personโs emotional state. Youโre able to take a step back and see the situation for what it is, without getting caught up in the emotion.
This can be a valuable tool when dealing with a narcissist, who is often trying to control your emotions. If you can maintain emotional distance, youโll be less likely to fall victim to their manipulation.
Signs that you need to create emotional distance from a Narcissist
If youโre feeling overwhelmed by the narcissist in your life, it may be time to create some emotional distance. Here are a few signs that you need to put some space between yourself and the narcissist:
* You feel like youโre constantly walking on eggshells around them.
* You canโt have a normal conversation without them turning it into a fight.
* They make you feel guilty or inferior when you donโt do what they want.
* They constantly criticize you and put you down.
* They drain all of your energy and make you feel exhausted.
* You feel like youโre constantly giving in to them, or that you have no control over the relationship.
If any of these things are happening in your relationship, itโs time to start creating some emotional distance.
9 ways to create emotional distance from a narcissist
Here are 9 ways if you want to create emotional distance from a narcissist:
1. Limit contact with narcissists
If youโre struggling to create emotional distance from a narcissist, one of the best things you can do is limit contact with them. This means reducing the amount of time you spend around them and avoiding any situations that might put you in close contact.
It can be hard to do this, especially if youโre still in a relationship with the narcissist, but itโs important to remember that you need to take care of yourself.
2. Identify why itโs hard to create emotional distance
There are several reasons why it can be hard to create emotional distance from a narcissist. One of the main reasons is that narcissists are often very good at manipulating their victims. They know how to get close to you and make you feel dependent on them, and then they disappear when itโs convenient for them.
They also know how to push your buttons and make you react emotionally. If youโre not able to maintain emotional distance, youโll be more likely to fall victim to their manipulation.
Another reason it can be hard to create emotional distance is that you may feel like youโre abandoning the narcissist or turning your back on them. You may feel guilty or like youโre not doing enough, but remember that you need to take care of yourself first and foremost.
Lastly, it can be hard to create emotional distance because the narcissist often becomes a part of your daily life. They may be in your family, social circle, or workplace, and itโs hard to avoid them completely. But if you can limit contact and keep your distance when necessary, you can still protect yourself from their harmful influence.
3. Refuse to play theirย games.
One of the best ways to maintain emotional distance from a narcissist is to refuse to play their games. This means refusing to react emotionally to their manipulation and instead staying calm and in control. Narcissists love to get a reaction out of their victims, so by refusing to play their games, youโre essentially taking away their power.
Some of the most common games that narcissists like to play include the following:
The pity game.
The pity game is when the narcissist pretends to be a victim in order to get sympathy from the victim. They may make up stories about how theyโve been hurt or wronged, or they may act like theyโre not able to take care of themselves.
By playing the pity game, the narcissist can make their victim feel guilty and obligated to take care of them.
The guilt game.
The guilt game is when the narcissist makes their victim feel guilty for not doing what they want or for not living up to their expectations. They may accuse their victim of being selfish or unsupportive, and they may make them feel like theyโre not good enough. This game is designed to control and manipulate the victim into doing what the narcissist wants.
The love-bombing game.

Love-bombing is when the narcissist showers their victim with excessive compliments and attention in order to win them over. They may make them feel special and wanted, and they may promise them everything under the sun. By love-bombing their victim, the narcissist can get them to lower their defenses and make them more vulnerable to manipulation.
4. Donโt take theirย bait.
One of the best ways to deal with a narcissist is to not take their bait. This means not reacting emotionally to their manipulation, and instead staying calm and in control. Narcissists love to get a reaction out of their victims, so by not taking their bait, youโre essentially taking away their power.
5. Maintain your independence.
One of the easiest ways to create emotional distance from a narcissist is to maintain your independence and autonomy. Donโt let them control or manipulate youโโโstand up for yourself.
6. Narcissists cannot be fixed and there is no point inย trying.
It can be difficult to accept that the narcissist in your life is never going to change, but itโs important to remember this fact. The narcissist is not capable of empathy or love, and they will never be able to truly connect with you.
There is no point in trying to fix them or change themโโโitโs a fruitless endeavor. Accepting this fact can help you put some emotional distance between yourself and the narcissist.
7. Set boundaries and stick to themโโโdonโt let the narcissist control yourย life
If you want to maintain a healthy emotional distance from a narcissist, you need to set boundaries and stick to them. Donโt let the narcissist control your life.
Establish firm limits on what you will and will not tolerate, and enforce them consistently. Donโt give in to their demands or manipulations. Stand up for yourself and donโt let them walk all over you.
By setting boundaries and sticking to them, youโll be able to keep the narcissist at armโs length and maintain your sanity.
8. Donโt make excuses for their behavior or try to rationalize it
Itโs very easy to make excuses for the narcissist in your life or to try to rationalize their abusive behavior. But doing this only enables them and allows them to continue their abusive ways.
If you want to create emotional distance from a narcissist, you need to be honest about their behavior and refuse to make excuses for it. Recognize that the narcissist is not capable of change, and stop trying to explain away their bad behavior.
9. Disengage from any conversations or activities that are harmful or triggering
If you want to maintain a healthy emotional distance from a narcissist, itโs important to be aware of the conversations and activities that are harmful or triggering for you.
If you know that a certain topic or activity is likely to upset or anger you, avoid it. Disengage from any conversations or activities that are harmful or triggering for you, and donโt let the narcissist lure you into them.
Final thoughts
If youโre in a relationship with a narcissist, itโs important to create emotional distance. It can be hard to do, but you can follow the 9 ways to create emotional distance.
By learning what emotional distance is and identifying the signs that you need to create it, you can take back your life and start moving forward.
Remember that you are not responsible for the narcissistโs behavior, and you cannot change them. Itโs important to focus on your own well-being and happiness and to take care of yourself emotionally.
Donโt let the narcissist consume your lifeโโโmaintain healthy boundaries and keep them at armโs length.