When a narcissist packs up and leaves, claiming they will never look back, their future actions can be unpredictable and depend on several factors:
Personality and Degree of Narcissism: The individual's personality and the severity of their narcissistic traits play a significant role in determining their future behavior. Narcissists can vary greatly in their ability to maintain their resolve to never look back.
Narcissistic Injury: If the narcissist feels rejected, abandoned, or criticized, their ego might be wounded. In response, they may engage in behaviors to seek revenge or attempt to regain control over the situation, including coming back into the person's life.
Source of Narcissistic Supply: If the person who left was getting their primary source of narcissistic supply (attention, admiration, validation) from the relationship they left, they might feel compelled to return if they cannot find sufficient supply elsewhere.
Life Circumstances: Changes in the narcissist's life circumstances, such as experiencing loneliness, financial difficulties, or emotional vulnerability, could potentially lead them to reconsider their decision and try to reconnect.
Alternate Manipulation Tactics: Instead of coming back directly, the narcissist might use indirect tactics, such as hoovering, which involves attempting to lure the person back into the relationship through manipulative means.
New Targets: If the narcissist finds a new source of narcissistic supply, they might be less likely to return to the previous relationship. However, this is not always the case, as some narcissists enjoy maintaining multiple sources of supply simultaneously.
Personal Growth or Change: In rare cases, a narcissist may experience personal growth, self-reflection, or undergo therapy, leading to a genuine desire to change their behavior and refrain from returning to a toxic relationship.
It's important to remember that the behavior of narcissists can be unpredictable and manipulative. If a narcissist has left and claimed never to look back, it's essential for the other person to focus on their own well-being, set healthy boundaries, and seek support from friends, family, or professionals. Trying to anticipate or control the narcissist's actions can be emotionally exhausting and often futile. Instead, prioritize self-care and personal growth to heal and move forward from the relationship.