The world is wide and full of billions of unique individuals. It makes sense, clearly, that it doesn’t revolve around you. But, sometimes, do you feel like it does? Taking things to heart when they’re not about you is far from an uncommon behavior. Unfortunately, it’s not healthy and can damage your relationships, opportunities, and yourself. Here are 7 signs you’re taking things personally.

YOU ALWAYS THINK ABOUT HOW SITUATIONS AFFECT YOU

It’s natural to have self-preservation, so it’s not unusual to consider how you’ll be affected by something severe or significant. But that’s not the kind of problem being referred to! Every single situation, no matter how distant, you find yourself thinking about the ways a butterfly effect could get to you.

YOU CREATE STORIES IN YOUR HEAD

Your friend calls to cancel a lunch plan you had together, telling you they have a last-minute emergency at home. Instead of accepting the explanation for a very rare cancelation, you start making up stories. You wonder if your friend is angry at you and holding a grudge over something you said last month. You start thinking that they’re distancing themselves from you.

IT FEELS LIKE AN ATTACK WHEN SOMEONE DISLIKES WHAT YOU LIKE

You know, logically, that every person is unique in preferences and tastes. But for some reason, whenever someone doesn’t feel positive about your passions and likes, you feel like it’s a personal attack on the core of your preferences. The same goes for opinions and beliefs.

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YOU’RE A SOCIAL PERFECTIONIST

You hate making blunders in public and desperately want others to think well of you. When something goes wrong, you might experience an exaggerated negative reaction because you fear your reputation is permanently damaged.

YOU NEED IMMEDIATE VALIDATION

Whenever you do something, you’re always thinking about the praise you could earn from it. Worse still, you always want that praise and appreciation instantly from the people around you.

YOU CAN’T HANDLE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

People who provide genuine, positive constructive criticism, it’s not a personal attack. It’s someone trying to help you learn and improve. But if constructive criticism makes you feel insulted, you’re taking it personally and feeling upset at the lack of approval from others.

YOUR NEGATIVE EMOTIONS OCCUR FREQUENTLY

Everyone experiences negative emotions once in a while. That’s normal and valid. What isn’t normal is constantly feeling a wide range of negative emotions in response to the people around you. This is especially true if they’re overpowering and disproportionate. You feel most of the time insecure, guilty, pessimistic and sensitive.

Do you usually take things personally?

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