Selfishness involves caring only about your needs without thinking of other people.
Learning to stop being selfish can help you focus more on the people who are important to you.
It can also help you reap the psychological rewards of showing care and concern for others.
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It’s a way to improve your relationships and ensure you have the social support you gotta thrive.
It takes time and practice.
The first step is becoming more aware of the self-centered behaviors that might hold you back.
Developing more empathy,conscientiousness, and thoughtfulness are also key.
Below are just a few strategies that can help.
Evaluate Your Behaviors
Let’s start with the basicsevaluating your own behavior.
It’s important to remember that it is normal to act selfishly from time to time.
Sometimes, it really is your turn to “take a selfish.”
Sometimes people go through phases of life where they are more self-focusedlike specific developmental periods such asadolescenceand young adulthood.
Are you selfish with your time?
Or are you neglecting the needs of other people who rely on you in some way?
Once you pinpoint the problem, it’s possible for you to start making a concerted effort to change.
It may take time and a little practice.
To listen actively, you should probably befully present in the moment.
Show interest in the other person by maintaining good eye contact andasking open-ended questionstokeep the conversation going.
As you practice this skill, you may find yourself more interested in what other people think and feel.
Send a text or make a call to someone and let them know you are thinking about them.
Show interest in their life and let them know that you care.
Developing your empathetic abilities is a great way to stop being selfish.
In other words, they tend to be more selfless and less selfish.
Such biases can lead topoor decision-making, but they can also contribute to selfish behavior.
Such biases are often rooted in people seeing things only from their own perspective.
Volunteer to Help Others
Volunteering is a great way to turn your focus outward.
One strategy to help increase appreciation for others?
It can be a simple, daily tool to help you reframe your thinking and remember what matters most.
Characteristics of Selfish People
Selfishness doesn’t always look the same.
And self-focused behaviors are not always a sign of selfishness.
They can be an essential form of self-care that is critical to well-being.
In some cases, certain traits or disorders can make selfish behaviors more likely.
For example, people who tend to havenarcissistic personalitiesare more prone to being self-absorbed.
When dealing with a stressful ortraumatic event, your first instinct is often geared toward self-protection.
This is normal, and it doesn’t make you a bad person.
After all, you must ensure your needs are met before you might turn your attention to helping others.
Benefits of Being Less Selfish
Letting go of selfish habits can bring various rewards to your life.
If you never show up for the people in your life, they end up in aone-sided relationship.
This can betoxicand lead people to reduce contact with you or even end the relationship altogether.
Less Stress
Because being less selfish can improve yoursocial support, it can also reduce stress.
Research has shown that having a solid social support system can buffer against the damaging effects of stress.
Greater Happiness
Yes, ensuring your needs are met is a key part of happiness.
Goodself-esteemstems from various sources, including positive interactions with others.
Is It Ever Good to Be Selfish?
Selfishness isn’t always bad, and everyone is selfish once in a while.
It’s okay to be selfish when you need extra care and attention.
Takeaways
Being selfish can be hurtful to others, but it can also be harmful to yourself.
Self-absorption doesn’t allow you to grow as a person.
It can also deprive you ofhealthy relationshipsthat promote emotional well-being.
Addressing the problem of reverse causality when estimating the wellbeing impacts of volunteering.J Happiness Stud.
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