Breaking the Cycle of Victimhood Part 1: Identifying The Mindset

Here at Relax and Reclaim we tend to focus on health, nutrition, and weight loss. These are extremely important subjects for discussion and we do our best to stay on topic. 

Your physical health is crucial, but it's only a part of the total of you.

There's also the subject of mental wellness.This is an equally important subject as well.

We're going to tackle the victim mindset this time.

Let's get into this..

Are You A Victim?

If you’re not feeling good about yourself, it’s crucial to take action and make a change. There's just no alternative. 

By addressing this, you can cultivate healthy relationships, and along the way (maybe even) find a level of fulfillment in your job. 

Personally, I spent a good portion of my life feeling unworthy. It was suggested that I read some books that were supposed to help me to re-evaluate my state of mind at that point.

I followed the recommendations I received and ultimately found no solutions.

It wasn't a completely fruitless effort, though.

I found out that a lot of self-help books are written by “experts” who (apparently) already have a solid sense of self-worth.

Disappointing, but not surprising.

At the same time though, this can create a disconnect between them and the rest of us that are still struggling with self-esteem issues.

a defeated attitude

Why Some Self-help Books Don't Work 

Many (not all) of these authors often appear to have all the answers and the perfect plan, but we know the truth; we’ve lived through it and we're not just critiquing our own self-defeating behaviors. 

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not bashing any stress book authors. A lot of them do offer good advice that actually helps people. I'm just making a point about how detached some people can get when it comes down to understanding human behavior.

But remember that it is entirely possible to overcome these feelings and thrive! 

Every one of us experiences doubt to some extent. It's possible for someone to achieve incredible success yet still grapple with feelings of inadequacy. The fear of being truly seen, like the classic story “The Emperor's New Clothes”. We all should remember how that turned out in the end.

*Have you heard our podcast yet? Here's a fresh episode for you!

suggested reading outcome

How To Stop Playing The Victim 

This drives us to pursue even greater accomplishments. More often though, it feels like it's never enough. While you may attempt to conceal this low self-esteem, it is much like an alcoholic trying to hide their struggle; it often becomes evident to others.

It's essential to recognize the start of this journey. The most unfortunate and detrimental aspect of victimhood is that many victims remain unaware of their role in it. 

They perceive around them continual evidence of betrayal, deceit, and unfairness, which reinforces their victim identity and often goes unchallenged. 

That's why I urge caution: realizing that you have been wronged could prove to be the final realization you encounter. Each of us endures injustice and dysfunction at some point. We must learn that these are merely transient events in our lives. 

king on the chess board

Changing Your Mindset 

Ultimately, it’s not the situations we face that shape us; it’s our responses to those situations that truly define our character.

A person with low self-esteem may take these challenges personally, while someone with integrity and confidence accepts these realities and adapts.

The pivotal question in any challenging situation is, "What do I do now and next?" Sometimes, all you can do is take deep breaths. At other times, you can take decisive actions, but remember, you are making conscious choices rather than merely reacting; you are embracing your circumstances.

Building Character By Destroying Wrong Perceptions 

Claiming that something is unfair merely drags us back into a victim mentality.

Avoid living a life of protest; doing so will cause you to overlook much of what is available to you. Consider the world and its enigmatic workings as an impartial force; harboring anger and resistance serves no purpose.

All it does is limit our potential. We are valuable just as we are, standing in our own shoes. By practicing and believing this, we reveal the aspects of ourselves that we cherish, making the path ahead easier and clearer.

Embracing a mindset free from victimhood and anger allows us to recognize our inherent value and unlock our potential, ultimately making our journey through life more fulfilling. 

By shifting our focus from what we perceive as unfair, we can fully appreciate the opportunities available to us.

Have you experienced any of these victimizing thoughts?

Let's talk about it in the comments!

"Your Health Is Your Wealth!!"

*PODCAST (Last chance!)*