09/07/2023
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by Regina George. Or maybe you’ve cracked like Gretchen Wieners?
We know the relationship between these girls is toxic, but why? Gretchen’s anxiety is exacerbated by being in the friendship, yet she finds it difficult to leave. So what does she do? She finds a way to survive by staying in her role as best friend and secret keeper. Regina lacks empathy and finds Cady a threat to her sense of self-importance. So what does she do? Befriends her. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer right?
Mean Girls is a cult classic and I love this movie as much as the next girl. But man is it a great visual representation of narcissistic relationships.
Have you ever had a relationship that felt toxic but difficult to leave? Do you feel like Gretchen sometimes—about to crack? Maybe you were able to find a way out of that relationship, but the anxiety, self-doubt, insecurity, and triggers that came with it are still present.
I have wrestled with symptoms of surviving a narcissist myself. Whether it’s a current relationship or past relationship. Whether it’s a parent, boyfriend/girlfriend, or best friend. It’s not easy and I can’t guarantee a smooth ride, but what I can do is help you recognize the signs, find ways to navigate those relationships, protect your well-being, transition from victim to survivor, and give you a space to process those hurts as well as grieve the loss of what you needed from those relationships. The damage can feel irretrievable, but with a little humor and a lot of courage, healing is possible.