What Happened to a Man Who Fell in Love with Himself

You possess an unparalleled self-love, with an unwavering certainty about your physical attractiveness, intelligence, and charm that surpasses others. Your sole focus is on admiring your own reflection in the mirror, which leads you to acknowledge the likelihood of your narcissistic tendencies, an ancient term used to describe such an uncommon mental condition. In Greek mythology, we encounter the fascinating character of Narcissus, whose story teaches us about the consequences of excessive self-love. There are different versions of this myth, but in one of them, Narcissus is born to mythical beings, and an oracle predicts that he will live as long as he never sees his own reflection. Consequently, all mirrors and reflective objects are removed from his surroundings. Narcissus grows up as an incredibly handsome young man, admired by everyone for his beauty. Local nymphs and girls fall in love with him, but he rejects all their advances. He enjoys wandering through the forest, savoring fruits, and listening to the melodies of birds.

One day, a nymph named Echo spots Narcissus among the flowers and trees and instantly falls in love with him. Eventually, she gathers the courage to confess her feelings, but her heartfelt admission is met with rejection, shattering her heart. Echo flees and hides deep within the forest, consumed by sorrow, unable to eat or drink. Her existence fades away, leaving behind only her echoing voice that resonates through the foliage.

Upon hearing Echo's plight, Nemesis becomes infuriated by Narcissus's rejection of the nymph and decides to seek revenge. Nemesis curses Narcissus to fall in love with his own reflection. Fascinatingly, one day Narcissus catches sight of his own image in a pond and becomes entranced, unable to divert his gaze. For weeks, he remains fixated on his own reflection, forsaking sustenance until he eventually perishes. As he has abstained from nourishment for such an extended period, Narcissus meets his demise. However, he leaves behind a stunning flower near the pond, which is appropriately named after him.

In another version of the myth, Hera punishes the nymph Echo for misconduct related to Zeus. Hera renders it impossible for Echo to speak normally, so from that moment onward, she can only repeat what she hears. If someone were to ask her whether it's a bird or a dinosaur, she would respond, "Is it a bird or a dinosaur?" This curse proves burdensome, so Echo chooses to reside in a dark cave, intending to live there until the end of her days.

Some time passes, and Echo notices Narcissus walking by. In that moment, the nymph finds a new purpose in life as she falls in love with the young man. However, she struggles with how to confess her feelings since she cannot communicate with him conventionally. Echo decides to seek assistance from the forest, utilizing her magical abilities to control animals and trees. She employs birds and leaves to somehow convey her emotions to Narcissus. The young man immediately realizes that the nymph is in love with him, but he promptly rejects her advances. He is too absorbed in himself and has no desire to share his presence with anyone else, or perhaps he is simply uninterested in others altogether, searching instead for an ideal of beauty that doesn't exist in nature.

Devastated, Echo becomes even sadder and returns to her cave to weep. She cannot eat or drink, and she decides to remain there forever. In her final days, Echo beseeches Nemesis to restore justice and punish Narcissus for his arrogance. Nemesis obliges by depriving Narcissus of the ability to love anyone else and compelling him to love only himself.

On a hot day, Narcissus goes to a pond to quOn a scorching day, Narcissus visits a pond to cool down. He kneels down to drink some water and catches a glimpse of his reflection. At that moment, the prophecy comes true, and Narcissus is captivated by his own beauty, unable to tear his eyes away from the water's surface. For weeks, he remains fixated, denying himself food and water. Although the sustenance is within reach, he refrains from quenching his thirst because his obsession with his own beauty holds him captive. Eventually, Narcissus bends down so low that he falls into the water and never resurfaces.

The forest nymphs are unable to find him, and many women grieve his absence. On the riverbank, a beautiful flower with white petals emerges, and it is named after the handsome young man. While the nymphs mourn him on Earth, Narcissus finds himself in the Underworld, where his self-admiration continues. He is doomed to gaze at his reflection in the River Styx for eternity, lost in a trance of self-love. This eternal fixation on his own image brings him both immense unhappiness and happiness simultaneously. Such a character evokes little sympathy, as people generally dislike narcissistic personalities.

However, an alternative version of the famous legend provides some justification for Narcissus's actions. According to a renowned Greek traveler and geographer's account in one of his books on Greece, Narcissus had a beautiful twin sister who bore a striking resemblance to him. Unfortunately, she passed away, and grief shattered Narcissus's heart. When he saw his reflection, it wasn't because he fell in love with himself but because his own face reminded him of his beloved sister. He gazed at his reflection to keep her memory alive. This rendition of the story adds a somber tone. Nevertheless, these myths offer an accurate depiction of a particular type of personality: narcissists who are constantly preoccupied with their own success, splendor, beauty, and an idealized form of love with extraordinary individuals whom they perceive as unique and superior.

Narcissists live in a fantasy world where their greatness is exaggerated. While self-love is not inherently wrong, it can become excessively strong. It becomes challenging to have a relationship with a narcissist as they are self-centered and lack empathy, making it difficult for them to understand other people's feelings. You may be crying after watching a sad movie, but a narcissist is ill-equipped to comprehend your emotions. Despite these negative qualities, narcissists can be charming individuals who know how to make others laugh and grab attention. Their company can be enjoyable. However, being friends with a narcissist presents difficulties as you cannot share your joys, sorrows, and other emotions with them.

It is important not to assume that narcissists have complex characters because they are bad people and enjoy it. Such personalities develop over time, often starting at an early age. Imagine growing up with parents who only praise you for your achievements and physical appearance from the day you were born. They applaud you for winning swimming competitions, passing exams, and compliment your good looks. It may sound appealing, but what about your inner emotions and state? If no one acknowledges those aspects of yourself, you won't learn to appreciate them in others. You will focus solely on your superiority and the feeling of success because your parents loved you based on these qualities alone. Consequently, you will also value others primarily for these traits. If you are as popular, successful, or even more exceptional than the narcissist, they will pay attention to you.

The mythological parents of Narcissus seemingly adored his beauty so much that they neglected his moral development. Every person requires emotional support and acknowledgment to avoid an emotional void within themselves. Narcissisticpeople try to fill this void with admiration and praise, but such things cannot replace genuine love. This is why many narcissists suffer internally.

Fortunately, modern advancements in psychology offer assistance in overcoming narcissism. Therapists guide patients through exploring their past feelings and emotions to identify the underlying causes of their narcissistic tendencies. This therapy is complex and time-consuming but has proven to be effective. Convincing a person who excessively loves themselves to undergo such therapy can be challenging. However, if they agree to it, they acknowledge that something is amiss, which is a significant step for those who are excessively self-absorbed.

In conclusion, while self-love is not inherently negative, excessive narcissism can hinder relationships and empathy towards others. Myths like the story of Narcissus provide us with valuable insights into this specific type of personality. Though narcissists may have charming qualities, their constant self-focus and lack of empathy pose challenges in fostering meaningful connections. Therapy can be beneficial in addressing narcissism, but the willingness to recognize and address the issue is a crucial first step for those who excessively love themselves.