Recently I was dumped by what I now recognize to be a narcissistic manipulator, the surprising waves of relief have been assuring me this is a bullet dodged. I'm still struggling with feeling incredibly foolish for ignoring so many of my concerns and making so many concessions to someone who demonstrated regularly that he didn't respect me. Not to mention the anger at him, trying to puzzle out how much was intentional and if this was the plan from the beginning (probably to both, and it makes no difference either way.)

I found FDS not long after, reading these posts is part of what helped me recognize and name the patterns of behaviour in a way I couldn't from inside the relationship. Doubling down on my foolishness I was hesitant to block, I thought I could just mute and ignore. Spoilers I couldn't and each time he'd message me before blocking me again, he leeched energy and attention away from my life. NO MORE. I blocked the shit out of him this morning, and I'm not looking back. It feels great, I'm not sure what I was hoping he would come out of the void and say. He told me to "know my place." Well I do. It's fucking soaring without you sir scrotesallot.

Back to not dating, and brushing up on FDS and reinforcing my boundaries. You have all articulated so clearly the way I've felt for most of my life, reading this sub is helping me find the kickass woman I forgot I was. Thank you all!