Falling in love with yourself

Having an excessive love for oneself, without any doubts about personal beauty, intelligence, and charm, indicates a strong likelihood of having narcissism. This psychological condition, which dates back to ancient times and finds its roots in Greek mythology, is exemplified by the character Narcissus. His story serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how excessive self-love can lead to various problems.

There are multiple versions of the myth surrounding Narcissus. He was born to parents who were mythical creatures, and a fortune teller prophesied that he would live as long as he did not see himself. Consequently, his parents removed all mirrors and reflective objects from their home. Narcissus grew up to be an incredibly handsome young man who captured the admiration of all, including local nymphs and girls. However, Narcissus himself did not reciprocate anyone's affections. Instead, he preferred indulging in solitary activities such as walking in the forest, enjoying fruits, and listening to birdsong.

One day, a nymph named Echo fell in love with Narcissus upon seeing him amidst the beauty of nature. She mustered the courage to express her feelings, but Narcissus rejected her, shattering her heart. Echo, devastated, retreated to the depths of the forest, where she withered away, leaving only her voice to echo through the trees. Nemesis, upon hearing Echo's cries, was outraged by Narcissus's rejection and decided to punish him. As a result, Nemesis caused Narcissus to fall in love with himself.

Narcissus encountered his reflection in a pond and became fixated on his own beauty. For weeks, he remained entranced, neglecting his basic needs and eventually perishing. However, a beautiful flower bloomed by the pond in his memory, named after him. Another version of the myth involves Echo, who Hera punished for her misconduct. Echo was cursed to only repeat what she heard, and she chose to live in seclusion. When Echo saw Narcissus, she fell in love with him and attempted to communicate her feelings using her magical abilities to control animals and trees. Despite Echo's efforts, Narcissus rejected her advances, solely consumed by his own self-interest.

Echo retreated to her cave, consumed by sorrow, and pleaded with Nemesis to restore justice and punish Narcissus for his arrogance. As a result, Nemesis deprived Narcissus of the ability to love anyone else and condemned him to love only himself. Eventually, while bending down to drink water from a pond, Narcissus became enamored with his reflection and could not tear his gaze away. In doing so, he lost touch with his basic needs and drowned. The nymphs could not find his body, and in their mourning, a beautiful white flower emerged on the riverbank, named after Narcissus. Meanwhile, in the Underworld, Narcissus remained fixated on his own reflection for eternity, trapped in a state of perpetual unhappiness and self-obsession.

These mythical narratives effectively portray the characteristics of narcissistic personalities. Narcissists are preoccupied with their own success, beauty, and an idealized notion of perfect love with exceptional individuals. They firmly believe in their uniqueness and superiority over others, seeking companionship solely with those who possess similar levels of uniqueness. Living in a fantasy world revolving around their own greatness, narcissists lack empathy and struggle to understand the emotions of others. This inability to connect with others on an emotional level hinders their ability to share joy, sadness, and other feelings.

Despite their negative qualities, narcissists can be charismatic individuals who know how to entertain and capture attention. Their self-love often makes them attractive to others. However, maintaining a genuine friendship with a narcissist becomes challenging due to their self-centeredness and lack of empathy. It is erroneous to assume that narcissists possess a complex character solely because they exhibit negative traits. Their personality traits develop over time, often stemming from childhood experiences.

Imagine growing up with parents who constantly praised you solely for your achievements and physical appearance. While it may seem gratifying, this form of parental love neglects the nurturing of emotional well-being. If a person's inner state remains unacknowledged, they are unable to appreciate it in others. Consequently, their focus remains fixated on their own superiority and the pursuit of external validation. If a narcissist encounters someone who is even more popular, successful, or extraordinary, their attention shifts towards that person. This parental adoration primarily shapes their worldview, replacing the need for genuine love and emotional connection.

Fortunately, modern advancements in psychology offer potential remedies for narcissism. Through therapy, individuals are guided to explore and understand the feelings and emotions they experienced in their past. This process helps identify the root causes of their narcissistic tendencies. Although therapy can be a lengthy and intricate process, it has proven to be effective. However, convincing a narcissist to undergo therapy is a challenging task as it requires them to acknowledge that something is wrong with their self-perception—an arduous test for those who harbor excessive self-love.