One of the most disorienting and heart-wrenching experiences many have gone through in the aftermath of a narcissistic relationship is seeing how quickly they replace you and move on to a new relationship. More often than not, the replacement is already waiting in the sidelines where the new relationship overlaps with the current one they are trying to leave. This is known as “grooming” the new supply for external validation, ego stabilization, and control.

A grandiose narcissist may engage in an abrupt and sudden discard where the breakup is calculated in order for them to control the narrative and to protect their public image. This often walks hand-in-hand with spreading lies or rumors to family, mutual friends, and the new supply. The exit itself is strategic and is designed to appear that they have the advantage. By securing a new replacement and reframing the breakup as the other person’s fault, it makes the breakup look necessary instead of staged. Because they emotionally disengaged long before they discard their partner, they spare an ego injury, making it a seamless transition to the next person.

Contrarily, a vulnerable narcissist is typically prone to “

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