Developing superpowers as a result of growing up with a toxic person
Have you ever thought about how someone’s toxicity has affected you?
I have. If you have too, you might’ve first realized all of the negative ways your life was impacted by someone else’s untreated issues, faulty perceptions, or negativity.
But what if you turned those around and gave them a positive spin?
Quick Links
This list was compiled from responses given in a support group for Scapegoat Adult Children of Narcissists. They were asked the question: What superpowers have you developed because you lived with a mentally ill, dysfunctional, or toxic person?
Here are some of the responses these incredible people provided. I hope this list gives you a new sense of personal power and helps you recognize more of what makes you awesome!
Claim your superpowers
- Dark sense of humor
- Able to sense toxic people
- Able to detect mental illness or something mentally wrong with a person.
- Able to read body language
- Able to sense danger
- Fierce independence
- Resourcefulness
- Resilience
- Psychoanalyze everyone
- Strong intuition
- Self-sufficiency
- Good at pretending to be asleep
- Self mothering/nurturing
- Anticipate multiple outcomes and is prepared for almost anything
- Comfortable being alone
- Able to tolerate high stress
- Know when something bad is going to happen
- Feel other peoples energy
- Feel calm in an emergency or crisis
- Able to figure out complicated things
- Nurturing
- Patient
- Able to read micro facial expressions
- Able to detect changes in people’s energy
- Can hone in on certain sounds: keys, footsteps, voices, car engines
- Move stealthily/silently
- Become invisible/unnoticeable
- Able to sneeze, cough and cry silently
- Good at keeping other’s secrets
- Empathic
- Remember every detail of events and conversations because of former gaslighting
- Great at dealing with angry people
- Ability to sense a con-artist
- Great at cleaning
- Great at anything to do with image: designing, decorating, clothing, accessorizing
- Great at detecting narcissists
- Able to hide emotions
- Able to detect untrustworthy people
- Able to lie well if needed
- Able to manipulate others if needed
- Very discerning
- Well organized
- Able to admit when wrong
- Resourceful
- Quick thinking
- Able to escape situations
- Able to see other’s perspectives
- Able to manage people
- Able to emotionally detach
- Able to tune people out
- Can switch emotions on and off
- Adapt to any surroundings
- Able to dissect a situation in seconds
- Able to diffuse arguments
- Good emotional control
- Cook well, able to make meals out of nothing
- Outspoken
- Great self-preservation skills
- Super observant
- Deep self-awareness
- Able to save money for unforeseen trouble
- Thrive under pressure
- See the red flags
- Problem solver
- PerfectionistIc
- Successfully sneaky when needed
- Bionic ears
- Diplomatic
- Get along with literally anyone
What superpowers do YOU have? If you send them to me at Diane@dianemetcalf.com, I’ll add them to this list (anonymously, of course!)
Tools for healing:
Conscious awareness: Be aware and make conscious choices before acting. Self-awareness releases us from making impulsive and potentially damaging decisions.
Understand the Abuse Cycle
Learn about letting go of what you can’t control, by using positive-detachment
Learn how expectations can be harmful
Learn how to set boundaries
Self-care: We can only choose to focus on and be responsible for ourselves, our own thoughts, actions, and behavior. We can change ourselves with patience, persistence, and practice. We can take responsibility for getting our needs met, instead of waiting for someone to change or meet our needs for us. We are in control of ourselves and no one is responsible for us but us.
Practice mindfulness
Learn about codependency and other maladaptive coping skills
Take the Adverse Childhood Experiences Quiz
Learn the signs of Narcissism Awareness Grief
Join the Free Email Survival Course:
Weekly lessons, strategies, and homework to start you moving forward from the effects of hurtful or toxic relationships, dysfunctional thinkers, and Lemon Moms.
Private Facebook group included for members only.
Join the Waitlist!
When someone’s vibe feels “icky,” or they have “unusual” personality quirks, would you know if they are genuine warning signs or if you could be in danger?
Coming Fall/Winter 2023
Icks, Personality Quirks, or Warning Signs? How to Know the Difference, by Diane Metcalf
Sign up for exclusive access to free chapters, progress, contests, and launch team, and be notified when it’s available!
Discover the Secrets of Identifying Danger
Have you been caught off guard by toxic individuals?
Want to enhance your ability to spot warning signs and protect yourself from emotional mistreatment and abuse? Look no further!
This upcoming book delves deep into the complexities of human behavior, guiding you through the maze of narcissists, psychopaths, manipulators, liars, and self-absorbed individuals.
Learn the crucial skills to differentiate between harmless eccentricities and genuine red flags.
Feel empowered to rescue, protect and heal yourself from their mistreatment or abuse
I AM: A Guided Journey to Your Authentic Self, Workbook and Journal, by Diane Metcalf
Experience the power of self-affirmation: using positive statements to improve well-being and performance. Learn research-based steps to write the most effective affirmations to manifest love, positivity, peace, self-confidence, motivation, success, and other wonderful things.
Get it Here:
Lemon Moms: A Guide to Understand and Survive Maternal Narcissism, by Diane Metcalf
For as long as I can remember, there was something “different” about my mother. She wasn’t like other mothers.
My mom didn’t hug or kiss, smile at, spend time with, or play with me. She never seemed happy to see me. She didn’t ask about my school day and wasn’t interested in knowing my friends. She seemed to have no interest in me or anything that I did. My mom called me hurtful names and obscenities, and at times, she ignored me, not speaking to me for days, weeks, or even months. When she felt sad I was expected to emotionally care-take her. When she didn’t feel like parenting, I was responsible for my siblings. When she lost her temper she hit. When I was disobedient, there were bizarre punishments.
I was not allowed to express feelings, ask questions, or show initiative or curiosity. My feelings were discounted, minimized, or invalidated. She re-wrote my memories, and I was expected to believe her version. I was to obey, stay quiet, and not question.
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. If there is manipulation, power struggles, or cruelty in your relationship, this book can help. If you second-guess your memory, doubt your judgment or sanity, or continually seek your mother’s withheld affection, attention, approval, or love, this book can explain why.
or
Get it Here:
Get the TOOLBOX posts twice monthly in your inbox!
About the Author
Drawing from her personal experiences of growing up in a dysfunctional household, Diane Metcalf has developed effective coping and healing strategies. With the assistance of professional therapists and mindful personal growth, she has honed her skills and now happily shares them with others who are interested in learning and growing.
As an experienced advocate, speaker, and writer, Diane is well-versed in topics such as narcissism, family dysfunction, abuse, and recognizing warning signs. Her extensive knowledge is drawn not only from her personal experiences, but also from her work in human service fields, including domestic violence, partner abuse, and court advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Information Technology.
Diane’s transformational books on healing and personal growth, such as the highly acclaimed “Lemon Moms” series, offer emotional support and guidance in understanding narcissistic traits and healing past wounds. Her approach emphasizes self-awareness, intention, self-care, and establishing healthy boundaries as essential components in the healing process.
Learn more about the Lemon Moms series: Lemon Moms
See what’s happening on DianeMetcalf.com
This website is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy.
Please share!
