Self-sympathizing

The act of feeling or expressing pity for oneself, often to an excessive degree. This involves dwelling on one's own hardships, troubles, or perceived misfortunes, sometimes to the exclusion of acknowledging the challenges faced by others. It can manifest as complaining, making excuses, and seeking validation or comfort from others regarding one's perceived suffering, frequently accompanied by a sense of being unfairly treated by circumstances or people. It is a common human emotion, yet prolonged self-sympathy can be counterproductive, hindering resilience and personal growth, ultimately leading to an unhealthy focus on one's own perceived victimhood.

Self-sympathizing meaning with examples

• After losing the promotion, he spent weeks self-sympathizing, constantly recounting how the decision was unfair and ignoring his colleagues' efforts. He saw himself as a victim of corporate politics, refusing to consider areas where he could have improved. His self-sympathizing attitude pushed others away and prevented him from moving forward in his career.
• Sarah had a bad habit of self-sympathizing after every minor inconvenience. If the bus was late or she spilled her coffee, she'd become dramatic, bemoaning her bad luck and how the world was against her. This reaction often strained relationships, as friends became tired of hearing her constant complaints about the smallest inconveniences.
• The novelist's protagonist frequently engaged in self-sympathizing monologues, detailing the perceived injustices in her life and the obstacles she faced. These passages, while meant to elicit empathy, often came across as whiny, thus diminishing the reader's connection to her character. This ultimately served to make her character come across more unsympathetic.
• Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, she resorted to self-sympathizing, blaming her mistakes on external factors and past traumas. She portrayed herself as a victim of circumstance, neglecting the role that her own decisions and behaviors played in her situation, therefore preventing herself from ever changing.
• The online forum was filled with users self-sympathizing about the high cost of living, focusing primarily on their own struggles while ignoring those of other nationalities. This fostered negativity and made it difficult to find solutions or empathize with others' situations, ultimately dividing the users and hindering productive discussion.