When the narcissist identifies a possible target to serve as their new source of supply, they begin idealizing their new "partner" and place them high on a pedestal.
As the (unfortunate) recipient of the narcissist's attention, you are constantly showered with declaration of love and affection. You feel completely supported, understood, loved, & admired in ways no one else ever made you feel. You can't help but feel you’ve finally found your soulmate and forever love.
EVERYTHING About You Will Fascinate the Narcissist
...and they will love every little part of who you are, what you do, and how you do everything.
You will be praised all day...
and marveled about how fortunate you both are for having so much in common. It’s like you’re the same person in two bodies. There is NO DOUBT you were born to find each other.
They will claim to see and and accept the REAL you…
and they will tell you how perfect you are for them. It feels like you are the only two people who could possibly fit. It can never be anyone else because you've finally found your person.
This experience feels like a dream come true – only BETTER
It truly feels like this person has been your soulmate and best friend from the very moment you were both born. So there’s no reason to suspect anything harmful is happening, because this is the most wonderful and romantic bond you’ve ever experienced in your entire life!
The Cycle of Abuse Starts From DAY 1.
The one-way bond
Idealization is the stage where an intense, one-way emotional bond (you to the narcissist) is created. You can't help but quickly fall head-over-heels in love and become vulnerable to what will follow.
Quick to confess their love for you
How fast did they confess their love for you? How quickly did they tell you that because of you, they finally know what love and happiness feels like? I became his saving angel, dream come true, and love of his life 2 weeks into JUST texting.
His argument was - "When you know, you know."
In Most Cases, Idealization Is NOT Calculated ...
Contrary to popular beliefs, a narcissist usually do not spot a target and think "Wow! There's someone I can abuse today!" or "They're so perfect, I'm going to destroy them!"
Because the narcissist's definition of "love" is completely different from ours, they actually think they're falling in love with their target. However, because their definition of love is more like: "If they make me feel good about myself, take responsibility for all of my emotions, and avoid doing or saying anything that would make me question my self-worth - I am in love." -- what they think is "love" is actually infatuation.
You fit "their idea" of the perfect source of supply
They begin idealizing the target because they're beyond ecstatic to have found someone to fill the role of THEIR IDEA of a perfect partner - to fuel THEIR self-worth and define THEIR status.
And they're counting on this person to provide them with everything they need to "appear" special, successful, admirable, and enviable.
You Are Perfect... Flawless! What It REALLY Means
The problem here is, the narcissist is not actually seeing you as a separate, whole person – they see you playing a “supporting role” in their perfect life where they are the amazing main character.
They're not admiring you for the unique and wonderful person that you are… they're getting off on the “idea” in their head about all they anticipate to benefit from being with you!
That's why they're usually so accepting and forgiving of all your shortcomings, faults, and quirks at the very beginning. They believe that by making you feel like a million bucks, you'll OWE THEM gratitude by stepping into that role of the PERFECT HUMAN... and that you'll look past ALL the horrible and insensitive things they're going to do to you after they drop their soulmate act.
The Idealization Phase May Include These Love-Bombing Behaviors:
- Target is showered with attention. Narcs won't give you a chance to think of anything BUT them... they want to be your EVERYTHING.
- They appear to have SO MUCH in common with you. Narcs are highly skilled at mirroring their targets… QUICKLY appearing as THE PERFECT MATCH.
- Constantly reaching out via text, phone, etc., because they just can't get enough of you.
- Attempts to isolate you.
- Quickly confessing their deep love for you.
- Showering you with elaborate gifts and dates.
- Disregarding your boundaries. You don't get to have your own space, feelings, or thoughts anymore. You are enmeshed together.
- Moving the relationship forward, incredibly fast.
- Future faking by talking about marriage, kids, family, vacations, events, etc.
Motivated by “genuine” attraction – based on how they can benefit
The diagnosed narcissists I’ve spoken to claimed that in the beginning of the relationship, they’re motivated by “genuine” attraction – based on how they can benefit. However, because they lack emotional empathy, they only idealize their target as objects to benefit from, and not as human beings they can grow WITH.
No emotional bond = devaluation & discard
And because they do not bond emotionally, their focus of attention & affection will shift elsewhere when you (their source of supply) see through their mask and begin to stand up for yourself... or their "needs" change, leading to the devaluation & discard stages.
Validation for Survivors
You're not crazy. This really happened.
The intense showering of love, affection, and appreciation during the love bombing HAPPENED. You are not imagining anything… you are not losing your mind.
Narcissists are unable to form a loving relationship like we can... their definition of "love" is completely different from ours. As intense as the relationship started, they did not bond with YOU at all.
And if the abuser begins waving their new "partner" around, keep in mind that they're simply starting the abuse cycle all over again. They're dragging the new person through the idealization stage... and I promise they will eventually end up where you are now.
This is a natural behavioral pattern for people with NPD
It happened to me. It happened to the woman he cheated on me with. And it happened to the woman after her. This cycle will never end because this is the narcissists' natural behavioral pattern.
Please practice NO CONTACT (or modified contact if you share children or business with the abuser).