Narcissists typically prefer new supply over old supply. Let's clarify the terms first:
Narcissistic Supply: This refers to the attention, admiration, validation, and other emotional resources that a narcissist seeks from others to maintain their fragile self-esteem and self-image.
Old Supply: Old supply refers to individuals who have been providing the narcissist with attention and admiration in the past, but the supply may have diminished or become less exciting over time.
New Supply: New supply refers to fresh sources of attention and admiration, often individuals the narcissist hasn't exploited or exhausted yet.
Narcissists tend to get bored easily, and once they have extracted all they can from a particular source (old supply), they may start to devalue or discard that person. This is often when the old supply realizes that the narcissist was only using them for their own needs.
New supply, on the other hand, holds the allure of novelty and excitement for the narcissist. They may feel more energized and interested in these individuals because they can extract a fresh stream of attention and admiration from them. Narcissists thrive on the initial stages of relationships when they can idealize and charm their new supply.
In summary, while the narcissist may go back to old supply on occasion if they feel the need for a temporary boost or if they think they can still manipulate them, they generally prefer new supply because it provides them with a renewed sense of validation and excitement. It's important to remember that narcissistic relationships are unhealthy and manipulative, and it's essential for individuals to recognize the signs of narcissistic behavior and protect themselves from such toxic dynamics.