Think aloud
How long will a narcissist rebound relationship last? What even is this, and how is this any different from a normal rebound relationship?
People fall into rebound relationships because they lack social support, and still have a deep-rooted attachment to their ex. They need someone to help them cope, and most times, they’re not really aware of that need.
Usually, people need quite some time to fall in love after a heartbreak. They need to be single to figure themselves out and to fall in line with who they believe they are. Rushing into a new relationship after a breakup is detrimental for both parties.
It does more damage than good, trust me on that. But when does a rebound relationship become narcissistic? Or is it inherently narcissistic?
This is a good question that we need to dive into to truly understand. And just how long will a narcissist rebound relationship last anyway?
What is a narcissist rebound relationship?
You’ve probably heard people talk about narcissists, just like you’ve heard the term “rebound relationship” more times than you can count. But, putting them together into one term seems like a disaster just waiting to happen.
Narcissists are the most self-centered people, who genuinely believe that they deserve unconditional love without ever doing something to earn it. They believe that they’re God’s gift to the world and that everyone should know it.
Which simply isn’t true. Especially considering that these people are also the most insecure. They hate being told something negative (or real) about themselves because they don’t have a good sense of self.
All of this just means that a narcissist rebound relationship is one where a narcissistic individual needs a narcissistic supply and doesn’t care about much else. He needs to find someone who will love him and give him attention.
The most common thing in narcissist rebound relationships is that they take place even before the narcissist ends his previous relationship. Of course, he may want a rebound right after the breakup, but sometimes it happens before the closure is there.
Before a relationship ends, the two parties can feel that something is off. When the narcissist doesn’t get that attention, he’ll start to look for it elsewhere.
It’s a rebound that’s on a whole new level of toxicity.
3 signs you’re in a narcissist rebound relationship
1. It got too serious too quickly
Before we jump into the topic of how long a narcissist rebound relationship will last, we should talk about the three most common signs that you’re in one.
Firstly, it got too serious too quickly. Love bombing is a very serious psychological game that people easily fall into. It doesn’t matter if you’re being cautious, simply because he’ll put on a front, and you’ll believe that you’ve found the love of your life.
You’ll feel like this is the man of your dreams and that you need to be together. But in reality, you’re being manipulated into liking him. He knows how to make you infatuated by him and to put himself on a pedestal.
If you’re not aware of his evil needs, then you won’t be able to escape his grasp.
He’ll start talking about a relationship right off the bat. After a week, he’ll probably tell you that he plans to marry you and so on. He doesn’t wait, which is one of the main reasons these relationships don’t last.
2. You feel like you’re only accommodating him
How long will a narcissist rebound relationship last if all you’re doing is accommodating him? You’re losing your sense of self, and you’re not really sure how it’s happening this quickly.
If he wants to make things official, you oblige. If he wants to keep things casual, you oblige. It’s like he has a spell on you! Simply because he makes his wants and needs so appealing that you fall for them before you can even think things through.
Narcissists have an amazing way of doing this – of influencing your thoughts and opinions to match theirs. Even if you believed you’d never fall for this, you still did. It’s not your fault, narcissists are just master manipulators.
He knows what he’s doing. This isn’t a subconscious thing like it is with normal rebounds. He knows that he’ll leave once he gets what he wants.
3. He always finds a way to mention his ex
How long will a narcissist rebound relationship last if he continuously uses his ex to manipulate you?
Once you succeed in making someone jealous, they’re under your spell. It might not seem that way at first, but that’s the hard truth.
People get into rebounds because they want to get over the rejection and pain of their previous relationship. If a narcissist is rejected and doesn’t get the supply he needs, he’ll find it elsewhere.
He’ll start telling you about all the things that his ex did. He will even make up stories just to make you feel bad for him and believe that you’re the person that he wants. He’ll tell you that you’re nothing like her, yet when you voice your opinion on something, he’ll tell you that you’re just like her.
This is when you’ll want to prove him wrong and show him that you’ll stay through the tough times. Little do you know, he’s got complete control over you.
How long will a narcissist rebound relationship last?
Well, not long, I’m afraid.
These relationships usually last between 1 month and 6 months. He doesn’t need you after that, because he’ll get what he came for and then continue with his life.
This type of relationship will never turn into a lifetime thing. You didn’t find your life partner, even though he’s constantly telling you that you’re meant for each other. This isn’t a man who’s going to stay with you through thick and thin!
He’ll walk out that door the instant he finds his confidence again. A narcissist in a rebound relationship will take your joy and your happiness, and turn it into something vicious.
And he doesn’t need more than a couple of months to do that.
4 reasons narcissist rebound relationships never last
1. He’s unable to move on
This relationship doesn’t seem like something that has the potential to last a lifetime.
One of the main reasons it’s such a fleeting thing is because he’s not able to move on from his ex. He believes that he’s the perfect partner, so how could someone leave him?!
He’ll always want to know where his ex is and how he can interact with her. He doesn’t care that it’s hurting you! The only thing that he cares about is making her jealous of you.
He wants to show her that he can live without her, even though that’s not true. Once his ego is broken, everything falls to the ground.
2. He’ll make you responsible for not helping him heal
“I wouldn’t have to talk about her if you were a good girlfriend.”
“I can’t get over this, I’m traumatized after that relationship. If you were the right girl for me, I wouldn’t even remember my ex!”
“I need you to be here for me while I’m going through this! So what if I still text her and check her socials? We were together so long, I can’t just let go.”
It doesn’t matter that you’re hurt by the fact that he’s not over his ex. He simply couldn’t care less about your feelings.
This man blames you for the fact that he’s not healing fast enough. Which will make you want to become a better girlfriend and fight for his love.
Don’t fall for this stupid trick.
3. He’ll keep taking everything you offer (and never contribute to the relationship)
How long will a narcissist rebound relationship last when all he’s doing is taking and never giving?!
We all know a relationship is a two-way street. He can’t expect you to give him everything without ever contributing to the relationship.
However, this is exactly what a narcissist does. He believes that his presence in your life is reason enough to stay and love him. A narcissist believes that there’s no one better than him.
This is exactly why these toxic relationships fall apart. You won’t be able to handle his needs, and he’ll never be happy with the attention you’re giving him. He believes that he always deserves more of everything!
4. He’s always looking for the next best thing
The worst thing about rebound relationships is the fact that it doesn’t matter who the “other person” is. His heart is broken, and he needs someone to help him mend it. You were just convenient.
It pains me to say this, but it’s true.
You can’t expect the narcissist rebound relationship to last when all you do is plead with him to be kind to you while he’s looking for the next best thing? He wants to keep his options open and to know that he’ll get his narcissistic supply somewhere else.
You don’t deserve any of this to happen to you. Please, pack your things, and run!