6 Common Hoovering Tactics Narcissists UseWhen a narcissist feels their control slipping, they often use “hoovering” to suck you back into their toxic cycle. These tactics aren’t about love—they’re about regaining power. Here are six of the most common manoeuvres to watch for:The Random Message – A casual “Hey stranger” or “How have you been?” seems harmless but is designed to reopen the door and test if you’ll engage.Nostalgia Hooks – “Remember when we…?” pulls on your memories of the love-bombing stage, making you question whether the good times were real.The False Apology – A dismissive “I’m sorry for whatever you think I did” sounds like accountability but avoids any responsibility.Victim Guilt Trip – They claim, “I’ve finished it, they’re crazy, I miss what we had,” painting themselves as the victim to gain sympathy.The Goodbye Trick – “I’m moving, it’d be great to see you before I go.” This manipulates urgency and your fear of finality.The ‘I’ve Changed’ Promise – Offers of counselling or self-improvement are often temporary bait, not genuine growth.Recognising these hoovering tactics helps you resist being pulled back into the cycle. Awareness is your best defence.#narcissisticex #narcissistic #narcissist #narcissisticrelationship #narcissists #narcissisticparent #narcissism #narcissisticfamily #narcissistglossary #nocontact #baitandswitch #gaslight #emotionalabusesurvivor #discarded #gaslightingawareness #redflags #signs #toxicrelationship #narctok #noreaction #covertnarcissist #narcissisticbehavior #gaslighting #narcissistsupply | Elizabeth Shaw - Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse