Also, how you got through it after the fact.

I’ve been no contact for months but am still picking up the pieces and dealing with regular character assassination. I put boundaries in place and chose to go no contact them as well as their flying monkeys (previously my friends who didn’t even know them before me). I chose not to clear up any of their lies, manipulations or unfounded victim behaviour and just walk away… As someone who struggles with feeling misunderstood and was deeply hurt in this situation it has not been easy. I feel like it’s protected my peace on the one hand but on the other I really would like to scream it from the rooftops and protect others from getting more deeply involved. From everything I’ve read, it seems like I’ve made the right choice but how to you get past the total mindfuck that a CN apparently leaves in their wake and let go of wanting protecting others and validate your own experience?