6 Signs of Unresolved Karma After Narcissistic Abuse

If you’ve endured narcissistic abuse, you may already know that the damage doesn’t end when the relationship does. Beyond the heartbreak, there’s often a lingering energy which becomes an unseen weight that traps you in cycles of pain, fear, and self-doubt. This weight could be unresolved trauma or even karma, a spiritual residue from past experiences that holds you back from fully reclaiming your power. The problem with this lingering energy when it extends into the spiritual realm like this is that it can create deep karmic imprints and unresolved patterns that subtly dictate your future relationships, behaviors, and self-perception.

Recognizing the signs of unresolved karma is the first step to breaking free and stepping into your rebirth—like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Here are the key signs of unresolved karma to look for that may still linger after surviving abuse, and how acknowledging these signs can guide you toward profound healing.

1. Repeating Toxic Patterns

Do your relationships seem to follow a familiar, painful script? This is one of the most common indicators of unresolved karma. Whether it’s choosing partners who mirror your abuser’s traits or finding yourself in situations that strip away your self-worth, these patterns may be karma’s way of asking you to heal wounds you haven’t yet addressed.

What it looks like:

• Falling into the same theme or type of arguments, even with new people.
• Attracting emotionally unavailable or manipulative partners.
• Feeling stuck in a loop of self-sabotage.

You may be finding yourself drawn to partners who exhibit similar toxic behaviors as past abusers. This pattern suggests that you have unresolved karmic ties or life lessons you need to learn from past life experiences. Your soul, or the universe, may be replaying the same scenario in order to push you toward resolution. In order to stop this cycle, you must tackle it head on and fully learn the lesson so you can break out of the cycle. If you don’t learn from the lesson or you resist learning, you will just be presented with the same lesson again. What you resist will persist!

2. Emotional Triggers That Feel Overwhelming

Unresolved karma often manifests as deep emotional triggersand elicit reactions that seem disproportionate to the situation at hand. These triggers might not just be memories of your abuse but also energetic imprints of past traumas that still affect your emotional state.

What it looks like:

• Intense anxiety or anger when certain topics arise.
• Feelings of helplessness or unworthiness that come out of nowhere.
• Overreacting to small conflicts or criticism.

You may also experience feeling insignificant or struggle with self-doubt, even when external circumstances improve. The reason for this is because abuse often instills false beliefs about your worthiness, which can create karmic imprints that diminish self-love. Feeling disproportionately triggered by certain situations, especially those involving criticism or rejection, may occur frequently. These reactions are often tied to unresolved trauma and are heavily linked to karmic imprints, which will continue to cause issues until they are healed and resolved.

3. Recurring Dreams or Nightmares

Your subconscious mind speaks through dreams, and unresolved karma often shows up here. Dreams of being chased, trapped, or reliving abusive experiences are common when karmic cycles remain unhealed.

What it looks like:

• Recurring dreams of your abuser or similar figures.
• Symbolic dreams about being lost, falling, or trapped.
• Nightmares that leave you waking up in emotional distress.

Dreams can often have psychological meanings, symbolizing major turmoil you are dealing with in your waking life. They can also bring us messages from passed loved ones on the other side or show us spiritual messages that Spirit, the universe, or our higher selves need us to hear.

4. Physical and Energetic Blocks

Unresolved karma doesn’t just affect your emotions—it impacts your energy and physical body. Trauma can create blocks in your chakras, leaving you feeling drained or disconnected from yourself.

What it looks like:

• Chronic fatigue or lack of motivation.
• Physical pain, especially in the chest (heart chakra) or throat (communication).
• Feeling “off” or out of alignment, no matter how much rest or self-care you get.

You may have a sense of heaviness or stagnation in your energy, as though you’re stuck in life. This could signify lingering toxic energy from your past, blocking your ability to move forward. Energy healing modalities like Reiki and sound therapy can release these blockages, restoring the flow of positive energy and helping you step into a more vibrant version of yourself.

5. Difficulty Trusting Yourself or Others

Karmic wounds often sever our connection to intuition and trust. After abuse, unresolved karma can leave you doubting your own judgment and fearing vulnerability, even with those who mean well.

What it looks like:

• Overthinking every decision and fearing mistakes.
• Struggling to let new people into your life.
• Constantly second-guessing yourself.

After experiencing the pain of narcissistic abuse, it’s normal to avoid deep emotional connections out of fear of being hurt again. You may become avoidant and run when your fears are triggered by someone, whether the trigger was accidental or intentional. This is a self-protection or coping mechanism that many people make use of when they are dealing with traumas due to past betrayals and emotional wounds.

6. Feeling Stuck Despite Wanting to Move Forward

Perhaps the most telling sign of unresolved karma is the feeling of being stuck. No matter how much effort you put into healing, you might feel like you’re running in place, unable to make real progress.

What it looks like:

• A strong desire for change but no clear path forward.
• Reliving the same negative feelings despite therapy or self-help efforts.
• A sense of hopelessness about breaking free.

You may have a persistent feeling that you’re not living your life’s true calling. Abuse often clouds your connection to your higher self, making it difficult to see your soul’s purpose clearly. Especially when dealing with narcissistic abuse, you may find yourself very confused about who you are and you’re your purpose is. It’s important to take time to rediscover your identity after experiencing abuse. Astrology and spiritual coaching can help reconnect you with your soul’s blueprint, bringing clarity to your life’s direction.

The Good News: You Can Break Free

The first step to clearing unresolved karma is recognizing its presence. Healing isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about transforming the energy that holds you back and using it as fuel for your empowerment. Through methods like Reiki, inner child healing, and guided meditations, you can begin to release the karmic imprints that keep you tethered to your pain.

Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?

Healing from unresolved karma after abuse is not just about clearing the past but about stepping into a new, empowered version of yourself . Although healing is a deeply personal process, you don’t have to navigate it alone. At BeyondMagick, our mission is to help women who have survived narcissistic abuse transform their lives by clearing the toxic patterns left by unresolved karma and trauma.

You don’t have to carry the weight of unresolved karma. By recognizing the signs and taking steps to heal, you can begin your journey to rise from the ashes, like a phoenix reborn, and embrace the life you deserve.

Take your first step today:

Ready to start your healing journey?

• Join our free Facebook Community to meet other women who are on the same path to healing
• Listen to the "Mindset Over Magick" podcast to discover tips designed to empower you
• Learn about the 12-week group coaching program “The BeyondHealing Accelerator Program” and sign up for the priority waitlist