Escape The Victimhood Mentality - S2 EPI - 152

Choosing To Be A Victim

A victim mentality is something we learn and acquire. However, no one was born feeling like a victim. In other words, we can choose to break out of such a mindset and stop victimizing ourselves. 

"It’s not my fault." Someone who acts from a place of victimhood claims things that happen to them are the fault of someone or something other than themselves. It might be the fault of their partner, family, co-worker, friend, or "the way the world is." They frequently complain about the bad things that happen in their lives. They are reluctant to take personal responsibility, asserting that the circumstances aren’t in their control.

Signs You Have a Victimhood Mindset

It’s normal to be unsatisfied in some parts of your life. But it’s important to look at the bigger picture. If you notice similar patterns across different areas of your life, you might have a victim mentality. 

The first step to solving a problem is to identify and acknowledge it. Look for these signs in yourself to see if you might have adopted a victim mentality: 

‌You blame others for the way your life is
‌You truly think life is against you 
‌You have trouble coping with problems in your life and feel powerless against them 
‌You feel stuck in life and approach things with a negative attitude 
‌You feel attacked when someone tries to offer helpful feedback 
‌Feeling bad for yourself gives you relief or pleasure
‌You attract people who blame others and complain about their life 
‌It’s difficult for you to examine yourself and make changes

Escape The Victimhood Mindset

Victim mentality is learned behavior. 

In other words, it’s not something you’re born with. It's something you learn in a social environment. It could be learned from family members or the result of trauma. However, you have the power to overcome it.

Take the first steps in the following ways. 

Take responsibility. You are the only one who controls your actions. You might not be able to control others, but you control how you react to them. You control who you spend your time with, and where. Realize your potential and get in the driver’s seat of your life. 

Self-care and compassion. Victim mentalities are subconsciously adopted as a way to cope, often from past trauma. Be compassionate to yourself in your recovery. Practice self-care and self-love. Journaling can be a helpful tool to work through your feelings. 

Start saying no. You can say no to something you don’t want to do. It’s okay. Even if other people feel you are letting them down, take care of your energy and prioritize yourself.  

Educate yourself. Read books about the victim mentality and how it affects your life. Consider seeking therapy. The more you educate yourself on the topic, the more likely you are to stay on track with your recovery and avoid going back to your old way of thinking. 

 What Does a Victim Mentality Mean?

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