🌿 Repetition as a tool : How Simple Routines Can Heal After Narcissistic Abuse"

By Emily Neser, ERYT-200 | The Hippie Hut

Recovery from narcissistic abuse often feels like trying to find solid ground after an emotional earthquake. Your sense of self may feel shattered. Trust—especially in your own intuition—feels fragile. In the midst of this inner chaos, something simple and often overlooked becomes a powerful medicine: repetitive activities. Wonder why you enjoy watchig the same show, or movie often? It creates safety and predictability where you didn't have that before.

Whether it’s rolling out your yoga mat each morning, stirring your coffee the same way, or walking the same path each evening—these small rituals can restore your nervous system, rebuild your identity, and create a new rhythm of safety.

Why Repetition Heals- the science behind the theory.

After abuse, your nervous system is likely stuck in survival mode. Repetition offers three crucial gifts:

1. Predictability: Narcissistic abuse thrives in chaos and confusion. Repetition offers your body and mind predictability and calm—something you may not have felt in a long time.

2. Self-Trust: Doing the same small task daily (e.g. lighting a candle, journaling, stretching) reinforces the message: "I can show up for myself." This quiet confidence helps rebuild self-trust that was likely eroded.

3. Regulation: Many repetitive activities naturally regulate your nervous system. Think walking, rocking, rhythmic breathwork, chanting, knitting. These aren’t just hobbies—they are healing modalities.

Examples of Repetitive Healing Practices

• Daily yoga or stretching sequence (even 5 minutes!)

• Chanting or mantra repetition

• Walking the same route while listening to calming music

• Morning or evening tea ritual

• Journaling the same prompt every day (e.g., “Today I choose…”)

• Counting breaths or using a mala bead practice

Remember that Healing Is Subtle and Slow—Like a Metronome

Recovery isn’t flashy. It’s a slow returning. Like a metronome, your healing begins to beat with steady rhythm. With time, repetition becomes safety. Safety becomes empowerment. Empowerment becomes freedom.

If you’re navigating the path of recovery from narcissistic abuse, start with something simple. Something repetitive. Let it anchor you back into yourself.

You don’t have to do it all at once. You just have to begin.

With Much Love,

Emily N