The Covert Narcissism Podcast

The Journey of Healing: What It Really Looks Like After Covert Narcissistic Abuse


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At the end of every episode, I say, “I wish you so much peace on your journey of healing.” But today, I want to pause and really talk about what that journey actually looks like—because healing from covert narcissistic abuse isn’t what most people think.

When I first left, I believed healing meant I’d wake up one day and magically stop hurting. I thought it meant I’d feel strong and peaceful all the time. Instead, I felt confused, angry, exhausted… and sometimes even guilty for walking away.

What I didn’t know then—but deeply understand now—is that healing isn’t a return to who you were before. That version of you doesn’t exist anymore. And that’s not a tragedy—it’s a transformation. Healing is not going back—it’s becoming.

In this episode, I take you inside the real healing process: the grief, the guilt, the spiral staircase of progress. I unpack what we’re actually healing from—the chronic invalidation, emotional starvation, and deep erosion of self-worth that doesn’t leave bruises but leaves a lasting impact.

You'll hear examples that hit home, like standing in the grocery store frozen by the realization that you don’t have to buy his favorite cereal anymore. Or crying in the bathroom because someone raised their voice, and it took you back. You’ll also hear what healing becomes: the moment you say no without explaining, the first night you sleep peacefully, the sound of your own laugh returning after years of silence.

We’ll talk about:

  • Why healing is not linear—and why that’s okay
  • What it means to be on the healing path, even when it doesn’t feel like it
  • How to recognize those quiet signs that you are making progress
  • Why “being healed” isn’t a final destination—it’s a way of being
  • And why grieving who you had to be to survive is part of the process too
  • If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why can’t I just move on already?”—this episode is for you. Because you’re not broken. You’re healing. And that journey deserves to be seen, honored, and spoken about with truth and tenderness.

    🔔 Listen now and remember: Healing is happening inside of you, even on the days it feels invisible.

    As always, I wish you so much peace on your journey of healing—because it’s real, it’s sacred, and so are you.

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    The Covert Narcissism PodcastBy Renee Swanson, Bleav

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