Card Category
Support Systems & Moving Forward
Card Number
This is card 48 of 52 of the Surviving Narcissism Card Deck
Card Overview
The power of sharing your story after experiencing narcissistic abuse cannot be underestimated. This blog post is inspired by Card 48, “Share Your Story”, from the Surviving Narcissism Card Deck. The healing journey from narcissistic trauma is unique to every individual, but one thing remains constant: when we share our stories, we open the door to personal growth, understanding, and connection with others who’ve walked similar paths. Whether you choose to share privately with a friend, publicly through writing, or even in therapy, the act of sharing is not just a way to release the pain but also a means to inspire and empower others.
In this post, we’ll explore why sharing your story is essential in the process of healing, how to do it effectively, and how it can serve as a catalyst for reclaiming your life. We’ll also link to several key cards from the Surviving Narcissism Card Deck and discuss the role of supportive tools like yoga and mindfulness in facilitating the process.
If you haven’t yet, you can get the full Surviving Narcissism Card Deck here – each card dives deep into the various manipulations and healing strategies to guide your recovery.
Table Of Contents
Why Sharing Your Story Matters
Sharing your story is a powerful tool for recovery, as it allows you to reclaim the narrative of your life.
After enduring the manipulation, lies, and deceit common in narcissistic relationships, your sense of self can become eroded. Narcissists often engage in gaslighting (Card 1) and blame-shifting (Card 6), which warps your reality and makes you question your own perceptions. By telling your story, you can correct that narrative and see the truth of what happened from a healthier, more objective viewpoint.
This process is validating.
It is an acknowledgment that what you went through is real and that your pain is valid. It also becomes a way to release bottled-up emotions and, in turn, start healing the emotional wounds inflicted by narcissistic abuse.
3 Healing Benefits of Sharing Your Story of Narcissistic Abuse
Healing benefits of sharing your story:
Reclaiming Your Voice: Sharing allows you to find your voice again, which may have been silenced by the narcissist. Find Your Voice (Card 40), emphasises that taking back your voice is essential to regaining a sense of empowerment. When you speak your truth, whether in a support group, to a therapist, or through writing, you become the author of your own story instead of a victim of someone else’s control.
Creating Connection: Narcissistic abuse can often leave you feeling isolated and misunderstood. Narcissists frequently engage in isolating you (Card 38), cutting you off from your support systems. By sharing your story, you connect with others who have experienced similar abuse, which creates a powerful sense of community and shared healing. This is why Find Your Tribe (Card 47), is crucial: you need a supportive network that understands your journey.
Release Emotional Pain: Many victims of narcissistic abuse feel an overwhelming sense of pain and confusion. By acknowledging the pain (Card 21) and sharing it with others, you release it from your mind and heart. The simple act of verbalising your trauma can lift a huge emotional weight and allow you to move forward.
21 Ways to Share Your Story
My method of story sharing is my personal blog (this website) and my Surviving Narcissism Card Deck. Before creating the deck I had created several Yoga and Pilates decks, but the narcissism deck was an epic undertaking that took many months to create – far longer than any of my other decks. It was a labour of love, a therapeutic process (certain cards made me cry), and a chance to share my story to thousands of people around the world. So, how will you share your story?
Where and How to Share Your Story:
Personal Blog
Create your own blog where you can write about your experiences in a safe and controlled environment. Sharing your story on a personal blog allows you to own your narrative and reflect on your journey at your own pace. Platforms like WordPress or Medium are easy to use and can help you reach a supportive audience.Social Media Posts
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter) provide a space for sharing shorter snippets of your story. You can use hashtags like #NarcissisticAbuseSurvivor or #HealingJourney to connect with a community that understands and supports your experiences. Make sure to set your privacy preferences if you want to control who sees your posts.YouTube Channel
Start a YouTube channel where you can create videos detailing your experiences and offering insights for others going through similar situations. This visual and auditory method of storytelling can feel more personal, allowing you to express emotion and connection in a way that writing may not. You can also engage with your viewers through comments, building a community around shared experiences.Support Group Meetings
Join a local or online support group where you can share your story in a safe and confidential setting. Narcissistic abuse support groups like those on Meetup or through therapy networks provide empathetic spaces where survivors can exchange stories and advice. Sharing in a group helps foster connections and ensures you’re not alone in your healing journey.Therapist’s Office
If you’re not ready to share publicly, talking to a licensed therapist can be the first step in voicing your story. Therapists are trained to help you process trauma and provide guidance on how to move forward. This one-on-one support allows you to explore your story deeply, without judgment.Podcast
Consider creating a podcast where you can discuss narcissistic abuse recovery, share your experiences, and interview other survivors. Podcasting allows you to reach a global audience, offering hope and healing to those who may be silently suffering. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts make it easy to distribute your episodes widely.Memoir or Book
Writing a book or memoir is a powerful way to share your full story in detail. By documenting your journey, you not only provide a lasting resource for others but also create a tangible testament to your resilience. You can self-publish or seek a publisher depending on your preference.Online Forums
Websites like Reddit or specialised forums such as Surviving Narcissism provide anonymous spaces where you can share your story without revealing your identity. These forums are filled with others going through similar experiences, offering a supportive and understanding audience. Engaging in these discussions can provide validation and comfort in the anonymity of online interactions.Guest Blogging
If maintaining your own blog feels like too much, consider guest blogging for websites or blogs that focus on narcissistic abuse or personal growth. Many sites are looking for survivor stories to offer their readers hope and inspiration. Reach out to blogs in the niche and offer your unique perspective.Instagram Stories or Lives
Instagram Stories and Lives offer a more casual way to share snippets of your experiences. You can share in-the-moment reflections, updates, or even go live to talk directly with your followers. It’s an interactive way to share your journey while engaging with a supportive audience.Vlog Series
If video creation interests you, a vlog series can be a great way to share your day-to-day healing journey. You can talk about the challenges you’re facing, lessons learned, and progress made in a more intimate, documentary style. Posting on YouTube or even TikTok can help reach others who may benefit from seeing your process.Writing for a Magazine or Online Publication
There are many magazines and online publications that focus on mental health, trauma, and personal growth. Reach out to share your story through a larger platform that can help you reach readers who may not actively seek out survivor stories but will resonate deeply when they come across yours. Publications like Psychology Today or Elephant Journal often accept personal stories on recovery and healing.Quora or Other Q&A Platforms
Q&A platforms like Quora allow you to answer questions from others who are seeking advice on narcissistic abuse or healing. By sharing your story in response to specific questions, you can offer tailored advice and guidance based on your own experiences. This interactive format helps you connect directly with those who need support.Public Speaking at Events
Share your story by speaking at mental health conferences, recovery workshops, or even local events. Public speaking allows you to provide real-time inspiration, sharing your voice and emotions directly with the audience. You can also network with others in the recovery community, building a deeper connection with like-minded individuals.Write an Article for a Local Newspaper
If you want to share your story with your local community, consider writing a piece for a local newspaper. This can help raise awareness of narcissistic abuse and let others in your area know they are not alone. It also provides a more personal touch, as you’ll be reaching out to readers who may know of you or share similar experiences.Online Workshops or Webinars
Hosting an online workshop or webinar allows you to guide others through their healing journey while sharing your own story. You can provide practical advice, answer questions, and build a supportive community. Tools like Zoom or Eventbrite make it easy to set up and invite participants.Pinterest
You might not think of Pinterest as a place to share your story, but it can be a powerful platform to create visual and written content about your recovery journey. You can share blog posts, infographics, or even mood boards that depict your healing progress. It’s also a great space to inspire others with quotes, affirmations, and articles related to narcissistic abuse recovery.Facebook Groups
Join or create a Facebook group specifically for survivors of narcissistic abuse. Facebook groups provide a community where you can engage in conversations, share your story, and offer support to others. These groups are often private, offering a more secure place to share your thoughts and experiences.Art Exhibitions
If you’re creatively inclined, consider sharing your story through art. Whether it’s painting, photography, or mixed media, you can express your journey visually and share it at local art galleries or online platforms like Instagram. This allows you to communicate your experiences in a way that words sometimes can’t capture.Email Newsletter
Starting an email newsletter is a more personal way to share your story with subscribers who are genuinely interested in your journey. You can offer insights, healing tips, and updates on your progress directly to people’s inboxes. It’s a great way to build a loyal and supportive following over time.Advocacy or Charity Work
You can share your story by working with organisations that help others escape and recover from narcissistic abuse. Advocacy work can involve speaking to groups, volunteering, or writing for the organisation’s blog or newsletters. Sharing your personal experience can inspire others to seek help and support, making a meaningful difference in their lives.
5 Tools (Card Decks) to Aid Your Healing Journey
In addition to sharing your story, there are practical tools that can support your healing journey. Yoga, breathing techniques, and other mindfulness practices help reconnect you with your body and ground your emotions, which is especially important after narcissistic abuse.
Blissful Breathing Card Deck: This deck offers breathing exercises that can help calm the nervous system and restore a sense of peace. Use these cards to manage anxiety and stress, which are common after emotional trauma.
Chair Yoga Card Deck: Designed for individuals of all levels, this deck provides gentle yoga exercises that you can do from a chair. Yoga is an excellent way to reconnect with your body after the disconnection often caused by narcissistic relationships.
Face Yoga Card Deck: This unique deck focuses on facial exercises to release tension held in the face and neck. This is a great tool to release the physical manifestations of stress.
101 Mini Yoga Cards: These mini cards offer short yoga sequences that fit into any schedule, perfect for integrating moments of mindfulness throughout your day.
Joseph Pilates Card Deck: Inspired by the teachings of Joseph Pilates, this deck promotes body alignment and core strength. It’s a fantastic way to physically strengthen yourself while rebuilding emotional resilience.
Sharing Responsibly: Protect Your Boundaries
While sharing your story is healing, it’s also important to guard your energy (Card 19).
When you share deeply personal experiences, you may attract those who want to pry or judge. It’s okay to set boundaries around what you share, and with whom. You don’t owe anyone your story, especially if you feel unsafe or vulnerable. Set Clear Boundaries (Card 12), reinforces that protecting yourself is essential when rebuilding after narcissistic abuse.
My Story of Narcissistic Abuse
Growing up, my mother’s ADHD made her the perfect target for my narcissistic father.
He could manipulate her with ease, knowing she often felt overwhelmed and misunderstood. My older brother was the golden child, the one who could do no wrong in our father’s eyes. My father’s obsession with golf became the driving force in my brother’s life, pushing him to become a European Tour Player. Despite his talent, my brother eventually grew to hate golf, but like a trap he couldn’t escape, he now teaches it for a living—a job that keeps him tethered to something he no longer loves.
As for me, I was the black sheep of the family. I inherited my mother’s ADHD, making me far from the child my father hoped for. I wasn’t particularly good at golf, and that only widened the gap between us. He saw no potential in me, and I quickly learned that my worth, in his eyes, was tied solely to how well I could perform on the golf course. If I wasn’t golfing, I was irrelevant. Growing up, I felt unseen, unloved, and constantly overlooked.
My father pressured me to leave school at 16 to pursue a career in golf, even though I had little talent for the game. I gave in because it was the only way to earn his attention and approval. He simply wasn’t interested in anything else about me. It took me 48 years—far too long—to finally lay down the clubs and walk away from the game that had defined my relationship with him for so long. It was never about golf; it was always about seeking the love and validation that he refused to give unless I was performing to his standards.
Now, in my journey of healing and reclaiming my identity, I’ve turned to many of the strategies from my Surviving Narcissism Card Deck. Some of my favourites include No is a complete sentence (Card 13), Guard your energy (Card 19), Practice mindfulness (Card 15), and Limit contact (Card 14). These cards have helped me set boundaries and create a life where I am no longer living in the shadow of my father’s expectations. Learning to say “no” without guilt has been liberating, and I’ve become more conscious about who and what I allow to take my energy. By limiting contact and guarding my emotional space, I’m slowly healing from the years of manipulation and neglect.
It’s taken time, but I’ve started to share my story, hoping to inspire others to step out from under the weight of narcissistic control. Healing is a process, but with the right tools and support, it’s possible to reclaim your life.
Conclusion: Your Story is a Gift
Below are some healing resources (card decks) I’ve created that may help you on your healing journey:
- Surviving Narcissism Card Deck
- Blissful Breathing Card Deck
- Chair Yoga Card Deck
- 101 Mini Yoga Cards
- Pilates Matwork Card Deck
Your story is powerful because it is uniquely yours. By sharing it, you provide hope to others who may be in the early stages of their healing journey. Whether you write about your experiences, speak in a support group, or simply share with a trusted friend, know that your story matters. It can be a guiding light for others and a beacon of healing for yourself. Sharing is not just an act of vulnerability; it is an act of strength.
If you want to explore these and other strategies in-depth, I encourage you to check out the Surviving Narcissism Card Deck for guidance on your journey.
Here’s a look at the full deck:
Narcissist Mind Games (10 Cards)
- Gaslighting
- Triangulation
- Love-Bombing
- Silent Treatment
- Projection
- Blame Shifting
- Future Faking
- Flying Monkeys
- Smear Campaigns
- Hoovering
Self-Care & Boundaries (10 Cards)
- Reclaim Your Time
- Set Clear Boundaries
- No Is a Complete Sentence
- Limit Contact
- Practice Mindfulness
- Healthy Detachment
- Rebuild Trust in Yourself
- Self-Compassion
- Guard Your Energy
- Disconnect Digitally
Healing from Trauma (10 Cards)
- Acknowledge the Pain
- Journal Your Journey
- Practice Gratitude
- Release the Guilt
- Therapy Is Strength
- Feel to Heal
- Reconnect with Your Body
- Affirm Your Worth
- Focus on the Present
- Time Heals
Recognising Red Flags (8 Cards)
- Lack of Empathy
- Extreme Charm
- Need for Control
- Quick Intimacy
- No Accountability
- Inconsistent Behaviour
- Lack of Boundaries
- Isolating You
Empowerment & Rebuilding (8 Cards)
- Reclaim Your Power
- Find Your Voice
- Celebrate Small Wins
- Visualise Your Future
- Rebuild Your Identity
- Surround Yourself with Positivity
- Redefine Your Worth
- Embrace Freedom
Support Systems & Moving Forward (6 Cards)
- Find Your Tribe
- Share Your Story
- Healthy Relationships Exist
- No Contact Is Power
- Stay Educated
- Forgive Yourself First
Click here to explore the Surviving Narcissism Card Deck in full and take the first step in your healing journey.
By George Watts
