Everyone hates narcissists, but they’re not always easy to deal with. Don’t worry. The gray rock method is here to the rescue!
We dislike narcissists for many reasons. Their presence is like cancer that sucks the life and positivity from the people around them. And to deal with narcissists, people usually choose confrontation or complete avoidance, not knowing the gray rock method.
Funnily enough, many people have been using this method to avoid being the “hot topic,” and it actually works! Confrontation is mentally and emotionally exhausting, while avoidance may work to some degree unless the narcissist takes the form of someone unavoidable, such as a family member.
However, there is another way of dealing with them. One without the pressure of confrontation and the helplessness of constant avoidance. Have you ever heard of the gray rock method?
Learn more about it here, discover the techniques, and use them as your weapon when needed. [Read: The biggest signs pointing to a toxic friend and how to move on]
What is the gray rock method?
When dealing with aggressive or manipulative people, the gray rock method is used to communicate boringly. As the term “gray rock” suggests, those who use this strategy become as immobile as a rock when they use it. Avoiding interaction with the abusive individual may be part of the strategy.
Surprisingly, the gray rock method is not the product of academic study but a pretty unique idea by a blogger that goes by the name of “Skylar” that was published in this feature.
The term and the concept surrounding it were formed after a meaningful conversation with a stranger at a bar on the topic of narcissists and psychopaths.
In a nutshell, the gray rock is a mental model. It allows the practitioner to understand the unique thought and behavioral patterns of unpleasant individuals such as narcissists, psychopaths, stalkers, drama queens, and gaslighters.
You use that knowledge to come up with practical ways to counter their negative effect on you. The gray rock method allows a person to deal with narcissists in their life, without the emotional and mental cost of accustomed strategies such as confrontation and avoidance.
For comparison, think of it as something similar to the martial art Aikido. The gray rocking works by neutralizing the opponent’s attack by using their own force or energy against them while expending little of your own power. [Read: How to start a new life and move on from the toxicity for good]
Understanding the mind of a narcissist
The first lesson the gray rock method teaches you is understanding the mind and behavior of narcissists. Living with a narcissist can be emotionally and physically draining to deal with. The fact that you’re connected might be because of them. It might also leave you feeling condemned and exhausted.
As mentioned, narcissists are like cancerous tumors, feeding off their host while releasing poison to eventually wear down their target. Narcissists are addicted to drama and attention. They crave feeding off their heightened sense of self-importance.
A great feeling of grandiosity is a characteristic of narcissists. That means they believe they are more important than others, and they often seek attention and praise. To accomplish this, they trigger emotional responses from people around them.
[Read: Am I a narcissist? 24 narcissistic personality disorder causes & big signs]
And whatever the reaction they receive: positive praise, pity, or even aggression, any kind of attention satisfies their addiction. Additionally, narcissists *and psychopaths* manipulate their victims at the first hint that they avoid them.
They apologize, promise to change, and even come up with self-destructive threats just to keep leeching off their victim.
Narcissistic people will go to any lengths to achieve their goals. As a general rule, they lack empathy and cannot form strong relationships with others, even with those they consider their closest allies.
That’s why the gray rock method has grown so popular, given the big help it gives. [Read: 16 clear signs you’re in a narcissistic relationship]
Why confrontation or avoidance may not work against a narcissist
A narcissist is many things, but a narcissist is not stupid. Their affinity for manipulation is a testament to their intelligent nature. Aside from being nefariously smart, they are also keen observers of people’s behavior.
That is why people who opt for the usual ways of dealing with narcissists often fail in their attempts to free themselves from their influence. [Read: Narcissistic relationship pattern – the stages you have to face]
1. Confrontation
Calling out a narcissist is the least favorable option for anyone. Remember, narcissists feed on drama. So, exhibiting any emotional response towards their behavior will only encourage them. When called out, a narcissist will deny, appeal to your empathy, and even manipulate the facts to make it appear that you are in the wrong.
Try to come up with other strategies or use the gray rock method. That seems like it would work out pretty effectively! [Read: Relationship with a narcissist and what it means to love one]
2. Avoidance
This has a certain degree of success. Most people choose this option by opting to ignore, cut off communications, and even relocate just to get that narcissist out of their life. However, resetting your relationships can also be tiring in the long run.
In fact, those who adopt the gray rock method find this solution very helpful, as they feel relieved and have the freedom to live their lives in peace.
If you are unfortunate enough to have the narcissist take the form of a parent, a special someone, or a superior at work, avoidance is not a feasible option. [Read: Signs a narcissist is playing mind games with you]
Why is a narcissist harmful in your life?
Living or working with a narcissist may be very difficult, resulting in feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and worry. Exposure to a narcissist under challenging situations might lead to clinical depression because of the emotional abuse and torture that a person has had to suffer.
Even after you walk away or cut them off, the trauma that a narcissist leaves is still there. Narcissists are experts in manipulation, gaslighting, and control. So, having a narcissist in your life is guaranteed to be destructive and sabotaging.
Want to outsmart a narcissist? Read further so you can discover excellent tips on how to deal with narcissists using the gray rock method. [Read: Being taken for granted? 71 BIG signs, why it happens & ways to stop them]
How to use the gray rock method
The gray rock method gives an alternative that doesn’t require people to aggressively confront or flee from narcissists’ presence in their lives. The idea is to make yourself inert to the narcissist’s addiction.
Cutting off the source of their influence on you by denying them their much-needed drama and attention without them knowing will make you “useless” to them.
And when that realization kicks in, they make the decision to leave you in peace. They search for other people to satisfy their need for drama. [Read: Toxic family members – 15 signs and reasons to cut them off for good]
But how does it work? Find out below how you can handle a narcissist using the gray rock method.
1. Make yourself the “boring topic”
From the name itself, practitioners of this method are encouraged to “be as disinteresting as a gray rock.”
Gray rocks are ordinary and boring. By presenting yourself as someone who lives your life as such, the narcissist or psychopath eventually leaves you alone.
2. Make your conversations boring
The best way to accomplish this is by avoiding open-ended responses. Don’t provide information that allows the narcissist to dig deeper into you. By withholding information from conversations, narcissists have less ammunition to use against you.
You may either avoid sharing your hobbies, personal experiences, and relationship information and just ply them with the most mundane and boring news you can conjure. [Read: 31 nice ways to let someone down easy & reject them in person or text]
3. Make it appear as if you’re living a monotonous and uninteresting lifestyle
By making it appear that you do the same activities over and over again alone and lack interest in establishing a social life, you fade into the background of other people.
As a consequence, other people stand out, which attracts the narcissist to prey on them instead of you.
Sometimes, you just have to be very clever and think harder of an “uninteresting” story about yourself. The more dull your life is, the safer you are from these narcissists! [Read: 23 secret signs of narcissism people overlook until it’s too late]
4. Use what the psychopath or narcissist wants from you against them
By presenting yourself as a boring person with a boring life, the narcissist or psychopath will eventually realize that you are wasting their time and will soon leave you alone.
You lived with a narcissist for years. How did you cope with being left alone yet feeling safe and secure? What type of gray rock method did you use? [Read: The ways to win over a narcissist’s manipulation]
Narcissists are always looking externally, and they want to see in your eyes that you admire and accept them as the fantastic person they have portrayed. Ultimately, they are looking for affirmation.
However, if you avoid looking them straight in the eyes, they may think you are bored or uninterested. Eventually, narcissists will go away and leave you behind. This gray rock method is AWESOME! [Read: The all-in woman’s guide to making eye contact with men]
6. Respond briefly to direct questions without an elaboration
Narcissists love to do background checks. Literally, like all the time, it’s frustrating trying to explain everything to them, especially when you’re not that close.
But since you came across this gray rock method, you can save yourself time from endless and nonsense conversations with these people. Whew!
7. Shrugging or nodding
Admit it, we all do this when we are bored or simply not showing any interest. Shrugging or nodding helps if you want to avoid narcissists tearing your ears off.
In fact, this gray rock method is one of the basics yet very impactful. [Read: Male body language – 48 subtle signs to instantly read a man’s thoughts]
8. Use noncommittal phrases and responses
This method is similar to shrugging or nodding. The only difference is that most of your responses are nonsense. You can use noncommittal responses like “Eh,” “Uhm,” or “Well…”
At any minute, they’ll be walking out on you and finding another person to piss off. Good thing? At least, you know you’re safe! [Read: What causes narcissism? The facts & theories to read a narcissist]
9. End interactions as soon as possible
“Hey, I’m kinda late for dinner. Gotta go.” “Sorry, I have to use the restroom.” Lots of people use these excuses not to be rude but to actually save themselves.
Remember that once you get into a conversation with a narcissist or anyone you dislike, it’ll be hard to get out of it, so be prepared. Narcissists can strike anytime from anywhere!
10. Show no interest at all
Sometimes, you’re better off not dealing with narcissists at all. Let them see you as you really are and observe what their reaction would be.
Narcissists are naturally born chatty, but they need to realize that respecting other people’s space is still necessary. [Read: 15 off-putting and obnoxious symptoms of narcissism in a person]
11. Don’t give away personal information
Think carefully before sharing any private information. Avoid bringing up your own family, especially if it contains sensitive topics like a family member’s sickness or financial struggles. Avoid mentioning the place you live, hang out, and your hobbies, because they will try to locate you and start drama.
12. Don’t tell them what you’re doing
Keep conversations brief when you must interact with them, and don’t mention what you’re doing or something that you plan. End the conversation as soon as possible to restrict the amount of information they have against you. [Read: 20 signs of a narcissistic relationship that’ll destroy you slowly]
Why do people use the gray rock method?
People use the gray rock method as a coping strategy to steer clear of someone with a narcissistic personality. The method is also used to prevent emotional abuse, such as when someone tries to establish dominance to have control over another person.
Some examples of emotional abuse are:
1. Intentionally humiliating someone in front of others
2. Calling them names
3. Deliberately making a person feel worthless or unsafe
4. Attempting to control another person’s behavior
Physical and mental health are both impacted by emotional abuse. You may use this incredible method as a coping strategy to protect yourself from mental and physical harm to your wellness. [Read: 27 signs of emotional manipulation to know if you’re being used by someone]
When to use the gray rock method
Going gray rock doesn’t require you to understand every single thing the narcissist has done to anger and humiliate you.
All you have to do is switch from your instinctive reaction, like getting angry or arguing with them, to no reaction at all. So when do you apply this method?
1. Try to avoid emotional engagement
Narcissistic people crave attention, so the more you react, the more they enjoy. If you’re one of those people who are driven by their emotions, using the gray rock method can be extremely helpful.
You’ll be able to avoid emotional engagement with your abuser so they cannot hold your emotions against you.[Read: Emotionally damaged – how people get that way, 26 signs & how to heal from it]
2. Try to maintain your privacy
Even if you do not connect with them on social media, try to avoid them and never disclose any kind of personal information. They are skilled at demeaning you and manipulating you. [Read: Toxic people – 48 warning signs & the best ways to deal with them]
What happens when you gray rock a person with NPD?
NPD is also known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It’s a mental condition where a person has an excessive sense of their own importance. Gray rocking a person with NPD will cause them to lose interest in the target of their behavior.
Those who have tried using this technique claimed that the people with NPD showed the following reactions:
1. Confusion
2. Frustration
3. Boredom
4. Anger
Some even claimed that an abusive person would occasionally act nice and friendly in an effort to get the victim to change their mind. This is referred to as love bombing. The abuser may also attempt to win the victim back into their life. This method is called hoovering.
Risks of the gray rock method
Although the danger of the gray rock method has not been studied, there is always a chance of abuse occurring as long as a person is in contact with an emotionally abusive individual. Some other possible risks include:
1. Escalation
If the abusive person does not get their way in a situation, they can exert more effort rather than give up. This is called escalation.
The abusive individual may use new or more aggressive versions of their tried-and-true techniques to get a response from someone. This could entail acting in a more deceptive, intrusive, or aggressive manner.
In abusive relationships, escalation frequently leads to physical violence. [Read: Am I in an abusive relationship? 66 early signs, effects & ways to get out]
2. Fatigue and frustration
Gray-rocking someone else is extremely difficult to do, especially if that person is really abusive or frequently interacts with their victim. This could be mentally tiring and challenging to maintain.
An abusive person may persist in their actions if they see that their victim can no longer put up with it or believe that they will ultimately respond.
3. Impact on mental health
It may be helpful to temporarily avoid an abusive person’s attention by suppressing and hiding feelings from them. However, if the victim also lives with the abuser, they have to constantly suppress their emotions.
This could be challenging, especially if you have no way to safely express your feelings, like being isolated from your friends and family.
Does the gray rock method work?
While there’s no formal evidence on the effectiveness of the gray rock method, certain behavioral studies have shown that people with NPD have a propensity for attention-seeking behavior. They are likely to go on and hunt for attention elsewhere if they cannot obtain it from you.
The main objective of the gray rock method is to get a toxic person to stop caring about you. Even when you might not be able to entirely shut off narcissists or manipulators from your life, this method may help lessen the damage that their actions cause. [Read: Manipulative behavior – why is it toxic & signs you shouldn’t ignore]
What to do if the gray rock method does not work
If the gray rock method does not work, you can try the following techniques:
1. Emotional self-care
Reducing the impact of abuse requires protecting one’s emotional safety. You could try practicing self-compassion and positive self-talk, setting aside time for yourself, surrounding yourself with supportive people, or seeking professional help.
[Read: Positive vibes – 17 ways to welcome positive energy into your life]
2. Social support
A person can benefit a lot from having a support system, which helps validate their experiences and feelings and serves as an emotional outlet.
You can seek support by revealing the abuse to trustworthy family members, spending time with your loved ones while distancing yourself from the abuser, or attending a support group.
If you live with your abuser, you should delete your online search history and refrain from looking for help on shared devices.
3. Safety planning
Abstaining from any contact with the abuser is the only way to ensure that the abuse will end. Abused victims should receive support from a professional, and, if possible, make a plan for safely ending the relationship.
Even when you cannot leave the violent situation or relationship right away, safety planning is still helpful. It lowers the possibility of severe injury.
Some important techniques include: keeping potential weapons locked away, avoiding jewelry or accessories that the abuser could use as weapons, meeting with a lawyer or a financial planner, putting together a “go bag” in case you need to make an immediate escape, and finding a safe place to stay.
4. Legal assistance
Your legal options depend on where you live or who your abuser is. When a victim leaves, a domestic partner or spouse may be required to pay child support or divide assets with the victim.
The rights of the person in this situation can be discussed with a family law attorney. A restraining order can be requested to forbid contact and punish the abuser should they seek contact anyway. [Read: Sexually abusive relationship – subtle signs you’re being abused]
When to seek help
You should seek help if you believe that a toxic relationship, a manipulative, or an abusive individual is the cause of your mental and physical health’s ongoing decline. Get in touch with a mental health professional or your doctor right away.
In situations of danger or abuse, reach out to the local police department. If you’re dealing with domestic violence, call 911 or seek emergency help.
You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or thehotline.org, or text ‘LOVEIS’ to 22522.
Everyone can deal with narcissists using the gray rock method
For short-term, urgent situations, the gray rock method may be helpful. Yet, it is not recommended to use it often or as a “default mode” for dealing with an abusive or narcissistic person.
Whether or not you’re planning to use the gray rock method, it is essential to evaluate its advantages and disadvantages first. [Read: The ways to win over a narcissist’s manipulation]
Dealing with narcissists is a fact of life. Sometimes, giving them a fight or choosing flight is not a solid option to get rid of them. The gray rock method provides an alternative not as emotionally and mentally draining as the usual options.