Some people will do everything they can to paint themselves as the victims in every situation.
They refuse to take responsibility for their actions or be accountable for their own role in how things play out in their lives. Instead, they insist on being martyrs — and that’s not all. People like this tend to have these annoying habits, as well.
1. They bend the truth to fit their story.
People like this love to twist reality. They’ll edit events in their mind to make sure they come out looking like the one who was wronged, leaving out key details that don’t suit their narrative. They genuinely believe their skewed version of events, which can be frustrating when trying to have a rational conversation.
2. They’re allergic to taking responsibility.
When things go wrong, they’ll blame anyone but themselves. You’ll hear a laundry list of excuses before they admit to any fault. They’ve mastered the art of dodging accountability, leaving everyone else to clean up the mess they helped create. It’s always someone else’s fault, never theirs.
3. Guilt trips are their go-to move.
They’ve got guilt-tripping down to a science. With just a few words, they can make you feel bad for things that aren’t even your fault. It’s like they have an emotional manipulation switch, and they know exactly when to flip it to get what they want.
4. They love to one-up your struggles.
Got a problem? Their problem is bigger. Whatever hardship you’re dealing with, they’ve been through worse (at least, in their mind). They don’t care about being empathetic—it’s a competition to see who’s suffered the most. Every conversation becomes a game of “Who’s Had It Harder?”
5. Passive-aggressiveness is their speciality.
Instead of directly addressing issues, they’ll drop subtle digs or make snide comments. They’d rather throw shade than have a straightforward conversation. This passive-aggressive behaviour turns every interaction into a guessing game of “What did they really mean?”
6. They’re always fishing for sympathy.
No conversation is complete without them dropping hints about how tough their life is. They’ll exaggerate situations just to get people to feel sorry for them. They thrive on sympathy and are always looking for someone to play the role of emotional support.
7. They remember every slight against them.
They might forget your birthday, but they’ll never forget that time you wronged them three years ago. They keep a mental list of every slight, ready to pull it out whenever they need to remind you of how “unfairly” they’ve been treated. Holding grudges is their speciality.
8. You’ll never meet their standards.
No matter what you do, it’s never enough. They’ve got a moving target for what will make them happy, and they make sure you’re always just shy of hitting it. The goalposts keep shifting, so you’re left feeling like you’re constantly failing to meet their needs.
9. They make a drama out of everything.
Every little thing is a catastrophe in their world. A minor inconvenience is blown out of proportion, turning everyday life into an exhausting melodrama. It’s like they thrive on chaos and can’t stand things going smoothly for too long.
10. They’re allergic to solutions.
Try offering a solution to one of their problems, and they’ll find a reason it won’t work. They’re more interested in venting about their issues than actually solving them. It’s not that they want things fixed—they want to stay stuck in the narrative of being the victim.
11. They self-sabotage like pros.
They’re pretty skilled at getting in their own way. They create obstacles for themselves, then act surprised when things don’t go well. Self-sabotage keeps their victim mentality going strong, and they rarely see how they contribute to their own problems.
12. They expect betrayal around every corner.
They’re always on the lookout for someone to let them down. A friend cancelling plans is seen as a betrayal, and even a small oversight is a sign someone is out to get them. It’s exhausting being around someone who’s always on high alert for the next disappointment.
13. They use emotional blackmail.
They know how to weaponise emotions to get what they want. They’ll make you feel guilty for setting boundaries or not doing exactly what they ask. It’s manipulation at its finest, leaving you feeling trapped and wrong for putting your needs first.
14. They love playing the martyr.
They’re always doing things for other people, but not without reminding you of the sacrifices they’ve made. It’s not about being generous—it’s about making you feel guilty. They’ll position themselves as the long-suffering hero, constantly hinting that they deserve more recognition for everything they “endure.”
