From my experience and many shared stories within recovery communities, one of the most damaging parts of narcissistic abuse is how the abuser twists language to gaslight their victim. When a narcissist says, "I did my best," it might sound reassuring at first, but as this article points out, their best was often just the best way to manipulate, confuse, and control. It’s important to understand that narcissists invest effort into identifying which emotional buttons to press to keep you doubting your own feelings and judgments. They aren't striving to support or nurture—they're aiming to maintain power by leaving you in a state of emotional distress and confusion. In my healing journey, I found that recognizing these patterns helped me stop internalizing blame. The abuser’s claim that they did their best was never about caring but about excusing their harmful behavior and shifting the responsibility onto me. Many people feel isolated in this experience, but there are effective strategies to break this cycle of self-doubt and gaslighting. Engaging in free trainings and support groups focused on narcissistic abuse recovery can provide education and tools to regain confidence and rebuild your sense of reality. If you're navigating this painful path, remember that your feelings are valid, and wanting basic human decency is not asking for too much. Empower yourself by learning how to identify manipulation tactics and practice self-compassion. Recovery is possible, and you are not alone.