I have been involved with several narcissists. I don't think of myself as emotionally fragile, an extreme people pleaser, or lacking in confidence. That makes me feel like I am deficient in some way simply because I have been a target more than once.

In fact, I am quite strong and exude a lot of confidence, and I have no problem telling someone where to get off.

When I have gotten involved with a narcissist, I happen to have been in a far more vulnerable state in my life, ie, I just had broken up with someone and I was very lonely, wanting true love from someone new.

They do test boundaries early on, and if one isn't astute to this, or if one doesn't enforce boundaries, then the narcissist will take it a step farther.

Narcissists are known to be attracted to empaths. Being empathic to me is a positive trait, yet it makes one more vulnerable to the narcissist.

Here's a good article that outlines the traits a narcissist looks for, empathy being one of the traits - the traits a narcissist is attracted to the MOST are in fact positive traits to own. I think it's very erroneous to identify more negative or unappealing traits in a target of narcissists.

Anyone can be a target.

5 Qualities Malignant Narcissists Look For In Their Victims – And How They Use Them Against You | Thought Catalog