While being serious and productive is important, it’s equally vital to maintain flexibility and enjoy life. Those who take themselves overly seriously often feel the pressure to constantly perform and impress, falling into a cycle of perfectionism and seeking validation. Yup, it’s exhausting! They also tend to feel the need to display these 15 specific behaviors and habits.
1. They love mentioning they don’t own a TV.
To someone who takes life and themselves too seriously, watching TV can be an example of a mindless and low-class hobby. They might view it as a passive form of entertainment that lacks intellectual stimulation and cultural value. Consequently, they might dismiss conversations about popular TV shows or mock people who watch them. Their disdain for television might stem from a belief that abstaining from it demonstrates superior intellect and moral integrity. Yikes! They’re overlooking the value of leisure activities, like how they offer people stress relief and relaxation.
2. They never laugh at themselves.
Laughing at oneself is a sign of emotional intelligence because it allows people to acknowledge their vulnerabilities, making them humble and more approachable to others. If someone takes themselves too seriously and never pokes fun at themselves, it creates a barrier to genuine emotional connection with others. In addition, by refusing to engage in self-deprecating humor, they’re being too rigid in how they perceive themselves which doesn’t allow for playful self-reflection.
3. They can’t handle criticism.
Giving someone who takes themselves too seriously feedback can feel uncomfortable. They tend to have a fragile sense of self-worth, which makes them reframe criticism as a threat to their identity or self-image. Instead of seeing the feedback as a way to improve and grow, they might feel personally attacked. People who take themselves too seriously often rely on external validation to boost their self-esteem, so even constructive criticism can lead to insecurity.
4. They take things personally, even if they’re not personal.
Someone who takes themselves too seriously might blow up emotionally when they get stuck in traffic or receive the wrong breakfast at a restaurant. Their exaggerated response to common stresses reveals their rigid sense of self-importance. Instead of recognizing that delays or challenges in their day are beyond their control, they might interpret the incidents as personal affronts to their competence and punctuality. This unnecessarily increases their stress and frustration and might make them seem dramatic to others.
5. They apologize unnecessarily.
If someone feels like they constantly have to defend their choices, like why they have bright blue hair or why they don’t like pets, it shows that they’re highly concerned with how they’re perceived by others. They want people to view them positively, as external validation boosts their self-worth, so they resort to apologizing all the time. They don’t want to upset or offend anyone, constantly striving to uphold an idealized, perfect version of themselves.
6. They punish themselves.
It’s not uncommon for someone who takes themselves too seriously to be super-hard on themselves. For example, when they break their habit of not eating any sugar, they punish themselves by starving themselves. Or, if they don’t achieve the promotion they wanted, they’ll work even harder and push themselves until they burn out. They have a strong fear of failure that motivates them to prevent future mistakes or setbacks. Doing this also helps them to maintain a greater sense of control over their lives.
7. They turn everything into a competition.
Someone who takes themselves too seriously might struggle to relax and have fun. Instead, they always want to compete with others and be perceived as the best. So, they’ll turn a relaxed board-game evening with loved ones into an opportunity to outshine everyone. They might be highly driven to prove their worth or superiority, as they believe their value is contingent upon outperforming others. The problem is that this detracts from authentic self-expression and genuine connections with others.
8. They don’t reward themselves until they achieve a goal.
Some people delay gratification, believing they should postpone rewards until they’ve earned them through hard work. Although they might see this as a way to stay on track to achieving their goals, it backfires. They end up avoiding enjoyment or living in the present moment because they’re so focused on future outcomes. Instead of celebrating what they’ve achieved so far, they prioritize their future success, sometimes overlooking their wellbeing in the process.
9. They exaggerate little mistakes.
If someone takes themselves way too seriously, chances are they’ll dramatize their mistakes, even the tiny ones, as though they’re a reflection of themselves. So, if they make a spelling error in an email, they’ll mentally beat themselves up about it for days. Or, if they make a joke on a first date that falls flat, they might feel worthless and like no one will ever love them. They engage in negative self-talk and catastrophizing because they hold themselves to impossible standards.
10. They get angry if someone questions their beliefs.
Being so rigid and inflexible about one’s personal views and beliefs is usually a sign that someone takes themselves too seriously. They should be mature enough to have an open conversation with someone and be willing to learn from the interaction, instead of having blinders on and getting defensive. However, their deeply held beliefs may become inseparable from their sense of identity, causing them to resist alternative viewpoints.
11. They struggle to be spontaneous.
Someone who takes life and themselves too seriously might struggle to go with the flow, especially in social situations. They prefer to stick to their rigid plans and routines, feeling uncomfortable if they’re put into an unpredictable situation. This is linked to having a strong need for control. They might become anxious or stressed whenever they have to deal with a new situation, which causes them to avoid taking a chance and seeing what happens.
12. They try to seem tough.
Focusing on being strong can be a way for people who take themselves too seriously to garner admiration and respect from others, as they believe toughness is synonymous with authority and emotional control. They don’t want the veneer of their self-image to slip, making them seem vulnerable to others. They fear being criticized or judged for being sensitive or weak. This is why they might always come across as aloof or unapproachable. It can cause strain in their relationships because they keep people at an emotional distance.
13. They don’t let go of their worries.
Some people who take themselves too seriously constantly stress about the future or past, struggling to remain present. It’s difficult for them to switch off their concerns and distract themselves by socializing and having fun. This can be challenging for others to deal with, especially if they feel they have to cater to the person’s fears. In fact, they might get a reputation for being a “worry wart,” which can feel isolating for them.
14. They feel like some tasks are beneath them.
If someone’s highly concerned with their social image, like if they take themselves too seriously, they might try to act superior to others. For example, they might claim that certain tasks are beneath them at work, such as answering calls or filing paperwork. They avoid these tasks because they see themselves as being more talented or capable than others. Since they care so much about how they’re perceived, they might fear that performing mundane tasks diminishes their status. However, by doing this, they’re coming across as arrogant.
15. They think about previous mistakes a lot.
People who are hard on themselves struggle to let go of previous failures or mistakes. They might remember how their lack of honesty wrecked a previous relationship or regret not taking the opportunity to travel. Holding onto negativity sinks their self-esteem, making it challenging for them to forgive themselves and move on. This can also make it difficult for them to bounce back from setbacks. Instead of viewing failures as opportunities to grow—and viewing them lightly so that they don’t have to be controlled by them—they internalize them as a reflection of their inherent flaws, perpetuating a cycle of self-criticism.
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