Know a narcissist?

Here’s a mantra for you.

For the past couple of months I have struggled at the behest of my alarm clock. It’s been difficult to open my eyes in the morning and the other week, my 12-year-old said with affectionate compassion, “Oh, Mom, you’re like a sweet newborn, blind cat.”

She’s not wrong. In addition to the impact of pollen season, I know that part of my struggle is related to stress—the kind that is tough to push out of your mind as you try in earnest to fall asleep; the kind that infiltrates your dreams; the kind that penetrates your morning fog, even in blind-cat state.

And part of my stress is related to dealing with narcissistic behavior.