Do you have a family member, friend, or coworker who is a narcissist? If so, you may be wondering how to deal with them. The grey rock method is one popular strategy that can be effective in some cases. But does it work? And what should you do if it doesn’t work for you? Keep reading to find out!
Origins of the phrase “Grey Rock”
The phrase “grey rock” comes from the world of addiction recovery. It is used to describe a particular type of sober living that helps people stay clean and sober.
The grey rock method can be used to deal with narcissists in the same way. It is a way to remain neutral and uninteresting to them, which can eventually lead them to give up and move on.
How to do it:
To use the grey rock method, you need to first understand what makes narcissists tick. They are attracted to people who make them feel important and special. So if you can find a way to not do that, they will eventually lose interest in you. One way to do this is to act like a grey rock. Be boring, and do not react to them in any way. Do not engage in conversation, and do not give them the attention they crave.
If the narcissist is your boss, it can be difficult to avoid engaging with them. In that case, you may need to find ways to limit the amount of contact you have with them. Try to keep conversations short and to the point, and avoid talking about personal subjects.
If the narcissist is a family member or friend, it may be easier to distance yourself from them. Spend less time with them, and find ways to busy yourself so you don’t have time for them.
Does it work?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The grey rock method may work for some people, but not for others. It all depends on the narcissist’s personality and how they respond to you.
What to do if it doesn’t work:
If the grey rock method doesn’t work for you, there are other things you can try. You could try setting boundaries or distancing yourself from the narcissist. You could also try talking to them about their behaviour and how it’s affecting you. If all else fails, you may need to end the relationship altogether.
For Further Reading
The following posts will give you tips on how to deal with the narcissist in your life –
- How to Deal with a Narcissist
- Abuse by Proxy – How to Identify and Deal with this form of Psychological Abuse
- How to Set Boundaries with Narcissists: Strengthen Your Defences
- The Grey Rock Method: A Strategy to Deal with Narcissists
- Go Suck a Lemon – How to improve your Emotional Intelligence
- How to go Low Contact with a Narcissist: A strategy for when No Contact is impossible
- Going No Contact with a Narcissist
- Resilience – the ability to bounce back after adversity
- Narcissist Hoovering: How to Deal With It
- Narcissistic Smear Campaign – how to spot it and what to do about it
- Flying Monkeys in the World of Narcissism: What They Are and How to Deal With Them
- 13 Warning Signs of Narcissistic Abuse: How to Deal with It and Get Help
- How to Get Revenge on the Narcissist and Move On
- 22 Powerful Narcissistic Abuse Quotes to Help You Heal
- The Aftermath of Loving a Narcissist: How to Heal and Move On
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