It sounds like a joke — and in some ways, it is — but for many, this statement lands with a gut-wrenching truth.

Narcissists are not known for their slow-burning, soul-deep connections. They’re known for love-bombing — grand gestures, intense declarations, and whirlwind romance that sweeps you off your feet before your feet ever get a chance to touch the ground. Why? Because connection isn’t the goal. Control is.

And one of the quickest routes to control is dependency. If they move in fast — literally and emotionally — they anchor themselves in your life before you’ve had time to see the red flags for what they are.

Here’s how it usually plays out:

• They seem “perfect.” In the early days, it feels like fate. You like the same things. You talk for hours. They shower you with compliments and attention.
• They move in — fast. They might say it’s because they “can’t bear to be apart from you,” or they “feel safe” with you. But often, it’s not about love. It’s about need. Or even survival.
• Slowly, the mask slips. Once they’re settled, you begin to notice changes: entitlement, gaslighting, emotional manipulation. The relationship stops being about us and starts revolving entirely around them.

By the time you recognize the manipulation, they may already be entangled in your home, finances, friendships, and routines. And getting them out isn’t just emotionally painful — it can be legally and financially difficult, too.

🚨 Why does this happen?

Narcissists often lack the emotional maturity and self-awareness needed for genuine intimacy. Instead, they seek supply— admiration, attention, resources, control. If they’ve been kicked out by a previous partner or are trying to escape consequences elsewhere, they may fast-track a relationship to secure a new host.

They don’t fall in love.
They fall into opportunity — and they call it love.

💡 So what can we do?

• Take your time. Healthy love builds slowly. Anyone pushing you to move too fast is showing a red flag.
• Watch actions, not just words. Grand declarations are easy. Respecting your pace, your space, and your boundaries? That’s rare — and real.
• Trust your gut. If something feels too intense too soon, listen to that quiet discomfort. It’s wisdom in disguise.
• Create boundaries around your home. Your space is sacred. Moving in together should be a thoughtful decision, not an escape plan.

You are not foolish for falling — you were manipulated.

And if you’ve lived this truth, please know: you are not alone. You are not broken. You are waking up — and that’s where your power begins.

🛑 Let’s keep talking about emotional abuse, fast-tracked intimacy, and the real costs of overlooking red flags in the name of love.

✨ If you’ve been there, you know this:
It wasn’t love.
It was need dressed up as devotion.