Sometimes we fall into ruts – a bad mood here and there is totally normal. However, if negativity is your comfort zone, and the idea of feeling happy makes you itchy, it might be time to ask yourself some tough questions. Here are some signs you might be secretly hooked on misery.
1. You could win an Olympic medal for complaining.
We all vent sometimes, but you’ve got griping down to an art form. Every conversation somehow circles back to your problems, big and small. You find yourself one-upping friends over who had the crappier week, and a simple “How’s it going?” turns into a full-blown misery report. As Verywell Mind explains, complaining creates a toxic cycle that just makes you feel worse.
You may also like: Evil People: 21 Things They Do & How To Deal With Them
2. Your happy place is a dark, stormy cloud.
Sunshine makes you squint, and laughter grates on your nerves. You feel most at home wrapped in a cozy blanket of melancholy with a rainy day soundtrack. Give you a brooding novel over a beach read any day of the week.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
3. You view happiness with deep suspicion.
Someone’s smiling? There must be a hidden agenda. When things seem to be going well, you wait for the other shoe to drop because deep down, you just don’t trust good vibes to last. Bad news, on the other hand? Now that feels familiar and strangely comforting.
You may also like: 16 Cute Personality Traits Women Love In Men
4. Compliments make you squirm.
Someone thinks you’re awesome? Pfft, they don’t know the real you. You brush off praise with awkward jokes or change the subject – anything to avoid the discomfort of believing something good about yourself.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
5. You’ve perfected the grumpy resting face.
RBF isn’t just a trend; it’s your emotional armor. Strangers know not to mess with you, and your default frown warns people that you’re not in the mood for lighthearted chatter. Smiles are for the weak! Or…so you tell yourself.
You may also like: 15 Things Introverts Do That Come Across As Rude But Really Aren’t
6. Your motto is “It could always be worse.”
Silver linings just aren’t for you. Even when things are okay, you find ways to focus on “what ifs” and potential disasters. This handy little habit keeps you firmly rooted in pessimism and prevents pesky feelings of hope from creeping in.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
7. You secretly enjoy being the victim.
Everyone has to walk on eggshells around you, and there’s a twisted satisfaction in that. Playing the martyr means you get sympathy points and can conveniently blame your problems on anyone but yourself.
You may also like: 16 Things Introverts Secretly Observe About Everyone They Meet
8. Small talk is torture.
Ugh, the weather – boring! You crave deep conversations where you can dissect your problems and existential woes. Casual banter feels superficial and leaves you cold.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
9. You wear your past failures like a badge of honor.
Old embarrassments and past regrets are your favorite campfire stories. You rehash those awkward moments not out of self-deprecation, but because it reinforces the belief that things always go wrong for you – and they always will. As PsychCentral points out, getting stuck in the past is a trap. Get out of it.
You may also like: If You Have Any Of These 40 Personally Traits, You’re An Extremely Toxic Person
10. You’re a magnet for drama.
A quiet life? Not for you! Whether it’s your own messy situation or getting way too invested in other people’s problems, you need that hit of chaos. Sometimes, you might even subconsciously stir up trouble because hey, at least it’s not boring! And let’s face it, a little conflict makes you feel alive.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
11. “Everything sucks” is your go-to phrase.
It’s efficient and covers all the bases. Why get into specifics when you can make a broad, sweeping statement about the general awfulness of life? Bonus points if you say it with a world-weary sigh. Sometimes, you throw it out there just to see how people will react.
You may also like: 15 Signs You’re A Complex Thinker Whose Mind Works Differently
12. You find other joyful people incredibly annoying.
Their happiness seems like an insult to your misery. How can they be so oblivious to the world’s problems? You secretly suspect they’re faking it, or worse, that they’re just plain dumb. Honestly, their relentless positivity makes you want to scream.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
13. You firmly believe life isn’t fair.
Luck is for other people, and you were clearly dealt a crappy hand. This belief becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy because why try if the universe is rigged against you, right? It’s a totally frustrating situation, and it fuels your cynicism even further.
You may also like: 15 Signs You’re A Complex Thinker Whose Mind Works Differently
14. Success stories make you roll your eyes.
They probably cheated, or their parents are rich, or they just got lucky. Hard work and talent? Nah. There’s no way you could achieve anything similar, so you dismiss their achievements to protect your own ego. Plus, a little bitter envy adds spice to your negativity stew.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
15. You avoid trying new things because you’re convinced you’ll fail.
Staying in your comfort zone might be miserable, but at least it’s familiar. Risk feels terrifying because failing would just confirm your worldview that you’re destined to suck at everything. The possibility of disappointment is way too overwhelming to contemplate.
You may also like: 23 Habits Of Chronically Unhappy People
16. You hoard grudges like they’re precious gems.
Forgiveness is for suckers! Nursing your anger and resentment feels righteous and satisfying. Letting go? That would require admitting you might not be the wronged party in every situation. Besides, clinging to those old hurts gives you an excuse for your current bad attitude.
Don’t miss out – follow Bolde for exclusive content daily
17. Your favorite hobby is doomscrolling.
Bad news is your fuel. Every tragic headline, every social media rant – it all validates your belief that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, and strangely, that makes you feel better. Plus, a healthy dose of disaster news helps you avoid dealing with your own life for a while. As WebMD points out, this can have a serious effect on your mental health, so put down your phone and get outside.
You may also like: People Who Lack Empathy Often Had These 15 Childhood Experiences
18. You secretly think happiness is overrated.
Deep down, you’re afraid that if you experience real joy, it’ll make the inevitable crash even worse. So, you stick with misery – it’s predictable, and it might even protect you from the disappointment of hoping for something better. It’s a twisted kind of self-preservation, really.
Enjoy this piece? Give it a like and follow Bolde on MSN for more!
