The Distorted Mirror: Living in a World of Narcissists and Victims

Have you ever felt so confused when people hate you for no reason? Despite being kind to everyone I encounter, I frequently get offended when people don't treat me the same. This confusion has plagued me for years, but today, I understand the root of these encounters.

The Real Truth

Today, I no longer feel puzzled. People can sense that I am driven by love and a higher power. Therefore, narcissists hate me just by looking at me. While I understand that some people might be inherently nasty to me, it's important to acknowledge that we cannot always predict how individuals will behave.

That is the reality of life. Expecting persecution is sometimes necessary, as the world has become increasingly difficult for the innocent. However, it is crucial to set realistic expectations and not be swayed by pessimism.

One month ago, my daughter received a message from Esther, a sixth-grade classmate. Esther announced that she would be de-friending every single person in the class because they had hurt her soul. She expressed that she didn't need them anymore. This message came at a critical time when the students were about to enter middle school, and many would attend different schools. Esther's decision marked a turning point in her young life.

Esther's story seems dramatic, with her soul allegedly tortured by her peers. However, her mother's actions provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation. Esther's mother is toxic and constantly believes that the world is against her, making her a perpetual victim. She is so insular that she poisons her daughter,?(repeating the content given, which is in English, and translated to Korean to show it as an integration). She hides the truth that she wants to be the victim, and she wants her daughter to follow in her footsteps. My daughter once received an invitation from Esther to come play, but upon returning home, she told us: “We will probably not see you again because that's how it always goes. I guess Esther won't be invited by you to come and play with your daughter, but that's the way it is.”

Esther's mother believed she was a victim but victimized herself and her daughter. We didn't know what to say, as people like that never listen. During our conversation, Esther's mother mentioned that her son, Esther's little brother, had COVID. However, she kept the information secret because she feared that it might deter us from interaction.

Now, Esther is twelve, and she is de-friending everyone she knows in sixth grade because she believes nobody likes her. This belief is exacerbated by her mother, who also fears that the world hates her. Eventually, Esther changed schools because “nobody liked her.”

Munchausen-by-Proxy: A Disturbing Pattern

Esther has become a mirror image of her mother. She refuses to join games and birthday parties because she feels that “nobody wants her there.” This behavior suggests a disturbing pattern of Munchausen-by-proxy, where a parent exploits their child's emotional distress to gain attention and pity for themselves.

This story underscores the importance of understanding mental health and the impact of toxic behavior in shaping a child's psyche. It is crucial to address these issues to prevent further harm and distortion.

Sources: The portraits are my own creations.