Narcissists...
If the question is how do you deal with Narcissists:
You're always going to be stuck with them at some stages of your life - so whilst always the best option is to cut them out (because there's no sort of interaction they do which isn't designed to drain energy or pull back so as to just allow your good nature to give them an opportunity later to do the same):
I have found depending on the narcissist there's a series of ways you can actually tie them down to their own double binds if you can force them to suffer the consequences of them in a way which avoids them shunting the reasons for it onto a subject which isn't directly tied to a crucial excuse they offer themselves or story they tell themselves - however it's so much effort the best way is still to avoid them.
If the question is how you get that authentic self:
What gives you energy which still aligns with how you aspire to actually be?
