Future Faking: How Narcissists Use It To Manipulate You

Have you ever felt like you were living in a fairytale with your partner, only to be left with a shattered heart when reality hit?

If so, you might have been a victim of future faking – a manipulative tactic that narcissists use to control you in the present moment.

This insidious strategy preys on your deepest desires, luring you in with a false sense of security and grand promises of a blissful future together.

From talks of marriage to starting a family, future fakers know exactly how to target your hopes and dreams. But the problem is, they have no intention of following through.

And when the promised future fails to materialize, you’re left feeling devastated and betrayed.

Don’t be fooled by their sweet words and grandiose gestures. Future faking is a red flag that should never be ignored.

By understanding why narcissists engage in this behavior and recognizing the signs, you can protect yourself and make informed decisions about your romantic future.

What Is Future Faking?

Future faking is a manipulative strategy often used by individuals, particularly narcissists, to get what they want from you in the present moment.

They do this by making promises that target your deepest desires, such as long-term commitment and stability.

In essence, it’s when someone uses a detailed vision of the future to facilitate bonding and connection in a romantic relationship.

You might encounter future faking in various forms. For example, your partner may promise that they’ll call you, plan trips together, or discuss potential milestones like marriage and children.

These false promises are deliberately designed to make you feel that your future together is secure, even if they have no intention of following through.

When dealing with someone who indulges in future faking, it’s important to be cautious and take note of the signs.

Some common red flags include a partner who’s overly eager to discuss long-term plans early in the relationship, making grandiose promises without concrete actions to back them up, or a pattern of breaking promises in the past.

To protect yourself from future faking, look for consistency between your partner’s words and actions, communicate your boundaries, and trust your instincts.

Remember, a healthy relationship should be based on honesty, trust, and genuine care for each other’s well-being.

Why Does Future Faking Work for The Narcissist?

Future faking is a manipulative tactic narcissists use to gain control and keep you invested in a relationship. But why does it work so effectively for them?

Firstly, narcissists present themselves as the perfect partner, tapping into your dreams and desires. By mimicking the life you envision, narcissists create an emotional bond with you that’s difficult to break.

This vision of your dream life captivates you, making it challenging to see the reality of the situation.

Secondly, you naturally assume that your partner has the same intentions for your relationship as you do. As a result, when they promise a blissful future together, you believe they will eventually deliver on these promises.

This hope for a brighter future keeps you connected and emotionally invested in the relationship.

Narcissists also use future faking as a distraction. While you’re focusing on the future they’ve painted, you may overlook red flags or problematic behaviors in the present.

This allows the narcissist to maintain control over you and the relationship.

Lastly, the allure of a detailed but unlikely vision is incredibly appealing. Due to their grandiosity and confidence, narcissists can make their vision seem plausible, causing you to put your trust in them.

Future faking works for narcissists because they create an emotional bond with you by tapping into your deepest desires, making you hopeful and connected to the promises of an ideal future.

This keeps you focused on a dreamy vision rather than the reality of the situation, ultimately allowing the narcissist to maintain control and manipulate you.

What Does Future Faking Look Like?

Future faking is a manipulative technique often used by people with narcissistic tendencies to appear more invested in a relationship than they truly are, in order to expedite emotional or physical connection.

It involves painting a detailed but unlikely or unrealistic vision of the future to lure their partners in.

It typically occurs in the early stages of dating with a lot of future promises that will never happen.

Now let’s look at what it might look like in your experiences.

You might find yourself swept off your feet by someone who talks about how perfect your life will be together.

They might share elaborate plans for vacations, moving in together, or even getting married and starting a family.

All this happens within a short time of getting to know each other, which can create a sense of false closeness and trust.

The primary red flag of future faking is the speed at which your relationship is progressing. You may notice that your partner is moving much more quickly than what feels natural or comfortable for you.

They might brush off any concerns you raise or make you feel guilty for not being as invested as they seem to be.

Future faking can also manifest in more subtle ways. Your partner may talk about long-term goals or aspirations but never actually take concrete steps to achieve them.

This could include things like career advancement, personal growth, or the future of your relationship.

It can be challenging to identify this type of future faking, as it’s not always obvious from your partner’s actions that they’re engaging in manipulative behavior.

Understanding what future faking looks like can help you recognize if you are in a relationship with someone who is engaging in this behavior.

Be aware of the speed at which the relationship is progressing, the realism of your partner’s plans, and their commitment to taking actionable steps towards shared goals.

Remember, it is essential to protect yourself emotionally and prioritize your own well-being in any relationship.

If you think you have a narcissistic partner, it may be best to take a step back and analyze what they have said to you.

A future faking narcissist will likely do and say anything to get a good grip on you.

Is a Narcissistic Future Faking Common?

Experiencing future faking in a relationship can be confusing and hurtful. You might be wondering whether this type of behavior is common among narcissistic individuals.

While it’s difficult to determine exactly how common narcissistic future faking is, it’s important for you to be aware that fake relationships are common with narcissists due to their manipulative behaviors.

That being said, not every person with narcissistic tendencies will engage in future faking.

However, the chances of encountering this behavior in a relationship with a narcissist are relatively high.

It often occurs when a big decision needs to be made, such as a choice about work or school that might result in them having less control over their partner.

In these situations, narcissists use future faking as a strategic tool to maintain the relationship on their terms.

To better understand future faking, consider that it often involves a narcissist painting a detailed but unlikely vision of your future together, sometimes without any intention of following through on their promises.

These promises can range from romantic getaways to career advancements, but the objective is to lure and manipulate partners, typically by exploiting their desires and emotions.

As you encounter new relationships, it’s crucial that you stay informed about the red flags of narcissistic future faking.

Recognizing the signs and knowing what to look out for could help you save yourself from emotional distress and potential heartache.

While narcissistic future faking might not be universal, it is undoubtedly prevalent enough for you to be cautious and protect your well-being.

Are All Future Fakers Narcissists?

Not all future fakers are narcissists, but future faking is a common manipulation tactic used by individuals with strong narcissistic tendencies.

It’s important to understand this distinction, as confusing the two might lead to unnecessary assumptions about someone in your life.

Future faking is a strategy where someone presents an idealized vision of the future to lure others into a relationship, making big promises and discussing elaborate plans that never materialize.

While some future fakers may not have bad intentions, their overpromising could stem from a lack of self-awareness or genuine excitement about possibilities.

On the other hand, narcissists engage in future faking to establish control over their partners and keep them emotionally invested.

They often use this method together with love-bombing, another tactic that involves showering their target with excessive praise and attention to gain their trust.

So, as you can see, future faking can sometimes be a narcissistic behavior, but it doesn’t always indicate the presence of a personality disorder.

When dealing with suspected future fakers, observe their patterns of behavior and pay attention to any red flags indicating they might be emotionally manipulating you.

Keep in mind that recognizing and understanding these manipulation tactics is a great first step in learning how to protect yourself from them.

Why Do People Future Fake?

You may wonder why someone would choose to future fake in a relationship. Understanding the motivations behind this behavior can help you recognize it and better protect yourself.

One reason people future fake is to manipulate others into getting what they want in the present.

They may make false promises about your potential future together to create a sense of trust and emotional connection, which can benefit them in different ways.

For example, they could gain emotional, financial, or physical support through this deception.

Future faking is also often linked to Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Narcissists may have a hard time distinguishing between sincerity and insincerity.

Even though they might not see any issues with promising you the world one day and then flaking out on you the next, their inability to fulfill promises can be damaging to both them and, more importantly, you as their partner.

Another reason why people might future fake is due to a lack of self-awareness. In some cases, a person may genuinely believe they can provide the future they’re proposing, but end up failing to deliver because they haven’t considered the realistic constraints around them, such as time or financial limitations 3.

Lastly, fear of vulnerability can also drive some people to engage in future faking. By presenting a perfect, dream-like future to their potential partner, they can avoid exposing their true selves, which safeguards them against the possibility of emotional pain and rejection.

People may future fake for various reasons, such as manipulation, narcissism, lack of self-awareness, or fear of vulnerability.

Awareness of these motivations can empower you to identify and respond to future faking effectively.

When Does Future Faking Happen?

Future faking can happen in various types of relationships, but it is most commonly observed in the early stages of romantic relationships.

It’s essential to recognize when future faking is taking place, as it can keep you informed about the potential manipulation at play.

In romantic relationships, future faking often occurs when one partner is trying to gain something from the other person.

They might use promises about the future to bond with you and create a connection that ultimately serves their interests.

This bonding can help them get what they desire in the present moment, like emotional or physical intimacy.

Another context where future faking might arise is in friendships.

For example, someone might promise to introduce you to an influential person or offer a job opportunity that never materializes.

Their main goal is to have you invest your time and energy in the relationship while they enjoy the benefits they gain from your investment.

Future faking is not limited to personal relationships. It can also happen in professional situations, such as when an employer promises promotions or career opportunities that fail to come to fruition.

In these instances, future faking can be used to keep you motivated and focused on your work while they benefit from your increased productivity.

Keep an eye out for warning signs, such as vague plans and constantly shifting timelines. If you notice that your partner or friend frequently talks about future plans without ever following through, it might be a red flag indicating future faking.

It’s important to remember that not everyone who discusses future plans is engaging in future faking.

Still, being aware of this manipulation technique can help you protect yourself from potential emotional harm and make more informed decisions in your relationships.

How Can You Spot a Future Faker?

It Feels Like a Fantasy

When dealing with a future faker, their promises might seem too good to be true.

They often target your deepest desires, like long-term commitment and stability, in order to manipulate you in the present moment.

If it feels like a fairytale, be cautious and question whether it is just a tactic to get what they want right now.

You Have a Gut Feeling

Listen to your intuition. If you sense something is off, then it might be because your partner is future faking.

Trust your gut feeling, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek clarifications about the plans and promises they suggest.

They Keep Lying and Making Promises Repeatedly

Future fakers have a pattern of lying and making promises over and over again. They may forget or break appointments and then make similar promises for the next time.

Watch for this behavior and question why it persists – it could be a sign of future faking.

To spot a future faker, pay attention to how realistic their promises seem (over the top promises are a big red flag!), trust your gut feeling, and observe their pattern of behavior.

Stay aware and don’t let yourself be manipulated by false promises.

How to Spot Narcissist Manipulation Techniques Like Future Faking

Understanding and identifying future faking can be crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. Here are some tips to help you recognize this manipulative behavior:

1. Pay attention to their promises: Be mindful of excessive promises or plans that seem too good to be true. If someone frequently talks about a shared future without taking concrete steps, they may be using future faking to manipulate you. Marriage.com suggests being cautious if the person’s promises seem ideal or unrealistic.
2. Observe their actions: Actions speak louder than words. Keep an eye on whether your partner follows through with their promises or if they only talk without making any genuine efforts. Unfulfilled promises are often a sign of future faking.
3. Notice patterns in their behavior: Future fakers tend to exhibit cycles of creating hope and then withdrawing. Be wary if you notice this pattern of building expectations followed by avoidance or silence when it comes time to act on those promises.
4. Listen to your intuition: Trust your gut feeling. If something doesn’t feel right in the relationship, take it seriously. It is essential to listen to your own instincts and consider whether your partner’s actions align with their words.
5. Ask questions and request updates: To maintain clarity in the relationship, Men’s Health recommends asking questions and seeking updates on promises made. Probe for more details about their plans and check for any progress they have made towards fulfilling them.

By following these tips, you will be better equipped to spot future faking and protect yourself from manipulation.

Remember, it is crucial to maintain open communication and set clear boundaries with your partner to foster a healthy and genuine relationship.

What To Do If You’re Dating A Future Faker

If you suspect you’re dating a future faker, it’s essential to know how to address the situation and protect yourself emotionally.

First, trust your instincts. If something feels off in your relationship, don’t ignore those feelings.

Reflect on the promises made by your partner and pay attention to their actions.

Do they follow through with their commitments or are their promises merely empty words? Remember, actions speak louder than words.

Secondly, communicate with your partner about your concerns. Be honest and open about your feelings and ask them to clarify their intentions. If your partner continuously avoids discussing the future or making concrete plans, this might be a red flag.

Another step to take is to establish boundaries. By setting healthy boundaries, you can protect yourself from potential emotional harm.

Communicate your needs and expectations with your partner and stick to them. Avoid giving in to pressure to move at a pace that feels uncomfortable or too fast.

It’s also helpful to seek support from friends, family, or a therapist. Discussing your experiences and emotions with someone you trust can provide valuable insight and reinforcement.

They can offer a different perspective and help you see red flags you might have missed in the relationship.

Lastly, consider whether it’s time to leave the relationship. If your partner continues to engage in future faking and is unwilling to address your concerns or change their behavior, it might be best to walk away. Ending a relationship where your emotional needs are not being met can be a challenging but necessary step in prioritizing your well-being.

The Consequences Of Future Faking

Experiencing future faking can take a significant toll on your emotional well-being.

One adverse effect that you may encounter is cognitive dissonance, which is when you struggle to reconcile the conflicting realities of the promises made and the actual situation you find yourself in.

Another consequence of future faking is self-erasure, where you might suppress your own needs, desires, and emotions to hold onto the illusion of a perfect future.

This self-suppression can result in feelings of helplessness and hopelessness as you lose your sense of self-worth and control over your own life.

If you identify future faking in your relationship, it may be a good idea to leave that relationship, as the deception can lead to a loss of happiness, joy, or even cause depression.

Long-term exposure to future faking can result in even more problems. Some people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or activation of existing trauma symptoms when faced with future faking combined with other forms of abuse.

In summary, the consequences of future faking can be:

• Cognitive dissonance
• Self-erasure
• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
• Loss of happiness and joy
• Depression
• PTSD or trauma activation

It’s essential to be aware of these consequences to protect your emotional and mental well-being.

A true, serious relationship will never leave you feeling so bad about yourself.

These empty promises and lies can have a horrible effect on our wellbeing.