How do you avoid being self centered..?
By Joe_Black
@Joe_Black (253)
November 8, 2010 6:52pm CST
One of my really good friends today, without saying it negatively or as though it's an issue, told me that I'm quite self centered. Now I was really surprised! I don't even fully understand what he meant... but I always thought being self centered implied not caring about other people. Not being interested or helping them out, and having to always be the center of attention. I know that recently I have been talking about my worries in certain aspects of life alot more, but to the point where I'm self centered.... eek! Don't like it!!
Has anyone ever been called self centered by their friends, how did it make you feel? Do you know why people would say that... or whether it just was a passing comment?
Any tips on avoiding being self centered... or a clarification of what it means??
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Lore2009 (7378)
• United States
9 Nov 10
You didn't ask him what he means? Maybe he is confused about something you are saying. I would ask for clarification especially if I never intended to be self-centered. Sometimes, it is harder to see how we, ourselves behave but it's important to ask why he felt that way especially if you were offending to clear the misunderstanding. You should ask what he means.
@Joe_Black (253)
•
9 Nov 10
Yea, you're right. I will ask! Cos it's clearly annoying me alittle. =)
Just alittle, but enough. Maybe he'll say that I'm self-centered for asking a question about myself again! =P
haha, cheers Lore!
@tuamora (79)
• United States
9 Nov 10
I agree that it is somewhat hard to truly see ourselves, because a lot of the time we make justifications for our actions. With that said. I believe you need to ask him to tell you what he means by you're self-centered prior to taking it too much to heart. Sometimes people have completely different understandings of what certain words mean and they carelessly use vocabulary that doesn't really fit what they are trying to express.
@Joe_Black (253)
•
9 Nov 10
I think I understand, maybe his definition of self-centered means lovely and caring! =P
Hmmm, I'll ask him!
And I agree, definitions vary all the time and cause unnecessary worry.
Thanks for the advise, and for picking up that I didn't really know what he meant by self-centered. =)
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
11 Dec 10
I think that self-centeredness is more of a personality trait, rather than something one does. I think everyone has been called self-centered at some point or another in their lifetime; and I'm just as sure everyone has been self-centered at some point. So in regards to your question, you avoid it by not wanting to be that way, but you have to want to not be that way, just because you care about people; however, if you care about people enough to want to not be self-centered, then you aren't. You are what you want to be.
