A sense of entitlement arises when you believe you deserve more than others due to your individual qualities. Individuals with this mental health issue may struggle in relationships, interpersonal conflicts, and mental health struggles.
Many secretly experience insecurity and the fear of not having enough appreciation, resources, or support. This insecurity may manifest as depression or self-isolation.
1. Remind Yourself That You Are Not Exceptional
According to psychologist Emily Zitek from Case Western Reserve University, cultivating an attitude of gratitude and humility can help combat feelings of entitlement. It also leads to a more balanced life and deeper connections with others, she states.
People with a sense of entitlement often believe the world owes them something, and expect special favors or privileges. Additionally, they believe they deserve to live a better lifestyle than other people do.
However, this mindset can have serious repercussions for your health and relationships with others. For instance, entitled individuals often have high expectations that won’t be fulfilled, leading to disappointment and emotional turmoil.
Zitek states that these individuals may also disobey social rules and norms, particularly when it comes to obeying instructions from others.
Recent research published in Psychological Bulletin has demonstrated that individuals with a sense of entitlement are much more likely to break rules and disobey instructions than others. Researchers concluded this is likely due to a narcissistic outlook which suggests the world should work in their favor.
Combatting this mindset with “perspective taking”: Instead of becoming frustrated when someone doesn’t do as promised, take a moment to reflect on their situation and why it may have taken so long for them to fulfill what promised. This can help you gain some perspective.
Zitek said you may be amazed at how much simpler it is to manage other people’s behaviors when you have a more balanced perspective. This will ultimately give you insight into others and their priorities.
Another key to living with a more positive outlook is learning how to forgive others for their shortcomings. You cannot change other people’s actions, but you can show them that they are deserving of your love and support.
Though you may find it difficult to accept that other people don’t always do what they promise, remember that you have the power to change your own behaviors in order to become more compassionate. This journey may be challenging at times, but in the end the rewards will be immense.
2. Recognize That You Are Not Entitled to Everything
If you suffer from an entitlement mindset, there are ways to combat it. These include appreciating what you have, accepting that you are not unique and practicing gratitude and humility.
Recognizing that you are not entitled to everything can help you become more in-tune with yourself and others, encouraging responsibility and consideration for others.
People with an entitlement mindset may not acknowledge gratitude when someone presents them something or shows them appreciation for their efforts. Additionally, these individuals may take friends for granted instead of showing gratitude.
Breaking free from a sense of entitlement can be challenging, but it is possible. Recognizing that your behavior has an adverse effect on both your relationships and everyday life should be taken seriously; once done, the benefits will be far reaching.
Research has demonstrated that entitled individuals are less likely to apologize when they make mistakes or don’t follow instructions given them. They also tend to become angry when things don’t go their way, leading to hurt feelings and negative outcomes.
Entitlement also makes it difficult for others to interact with you. An entitled person may refuse to adjust their shift pattern in order to accommodate your work schedule because they believe it isn’t fair, leading to conflict and feelings of resentment or unappreciation on both sides.
They can be an annoyance to others, particularly when they have a lucrative job and supportive family members. Furthermore, these people tend to be intolerant of criticism and possess an overinflated view of their own abilities.
They may even think they deserve more from life than you, leading to stress and negative emotions such as depression.
By taking a step back and viewing the situation from another angle, you can gain insight into why your loved ones are acting this way. It also gives you more realistic expectations of yourself, making asking for assistance or advice acceptable.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Entitlement is a widespread issue in our society, particularly among those who feel entitled. This mindset stems from the idea that everyone deserves to be contented, and if you don’t feel this way then something must have gone awry.
The issue with entitlement is that it can lead to depression. According to Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, people who have an entitlement mentality tend to experience greater levels of sadness than those without one.
An entitlement mindset can lead to decreased productivity and the inability to manage life’s challenges effectively. If you want to experience happiness and greater success in the future, it is essential to challenge your own entitlement mindset.
To achieve this, you must begin by challenging your own assumptions about what it means to be special. Recognize that you are not unique and everyone has their own set of needs.
Next, it is essential to assess how you interact with others. Asking for assistance may seem like a sign of weakness, but it actually serves an essential purpose in building human connections.
By asking for help, you are demonstrating that you value the wisdom and experience of others. You are eager to learn from them and listen carefully to their advice. Doing this can lead to increased self-awareness and boost your own self-belief in yourself and your abilities.
It can also be an excellent way to foster and sustain friendships. While you may not be able to help them with their current difficulties, you can always offer your support in the future.
Another advantage of asking for help is that it can save both time and money. This is especially true if you are trying to accomplish something unfamiliar or uncertain of how to proceed.
Asking for assistance can be intimidating, but the rewards are worth it in the end. Not only will you be able to work more efficiently and effectively, but you will also save yourself from costly errors that could have been avoided.
4. Be Kind to Yourself
One of the most effective ways to challenge your entitlement mindset is being kind to yourself. Self-criticism and negative self-talk can cause stress levels and foster negative emotions, damaging both mental and physical health. By being kind to yourself and accepting that you may be your own worst critic, it will give you perspective and make tough times easier.
Another way to show yourself kindness is by taking care of yourself. This includes eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep each night, as well as taking time out of work or school for relaxation. Furthermore, make sure your relationships with family members and close friends remain healthy too – such as your partner and children.
By being kind to yourself, you show your body and mind that you care about them and want them treated with respect and affection. Doing this can lead to greater health benefits as well as increased confidence in the future.
Furthermore, you can show yourself kindness by acknowledging and appreciating your strengths and accomplishments. This could be done through writing in a journal, celebrating successes with others or sharing them with others.
You can be kind to yourself by investing in yourself, whether that means taking a class, learning a new skill or exploring a new hobby. These acts of self-love will boost your inner confidence and bring more joy into your life.
If you’re struggling to take care of yourself, there are plenty of resources to help. Try setting aside 10 minutes each day for just yourself; that could include meditation, listening to a CD, or reading an inspirational book. There’s no limit to what kind of self-care activities can help get the ball rolling when it comes to developing healthy habits and routines!
These self-care habits are simple to implement and can have a major impact on your life. Not only will they promote better sleep patterns, increase motivation to exercise and eat healthily, but they’ll also make you more compassionate and patient with yourself during stressful moments.
Positive affirmations can also help reinforce these habits and make them more frequent. For instance, writing “I am a beautiful and smart person who deserves the best for herself” in your journal each morning could reinforce this thought. Or you could speak with a therapist about ways to boost your self-confidence and develop more positive behaviors.
