If a man display these 9 behaviors, he can be incredibly self-obsessed without realizing it

Navigating the waters of interpersonal relationships can be tricky, especially when dealing with someone who seems to be a little too focused on themselves.

It’s one thing to have self-confidence, but it’s an entirely different ball game when that confidence morphs into self-obsession, often without the person even realizing it.

Now, I’ve had my fair share of encounters with self-obsessed individuals, and trust me, it’s not the most pleasant experience.

I’ve come to realize that there are certain behaviors that these individuals exhibit which can be clear indicators of an underlying self-obsession.

So, in the spirit of sharing my learnings, I’ve compiled a list of 9 such behaviors that typically indicate self-obsession in men.

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to identify if a man is incredibly self-obsessed without him even realizing it. Stick around, it’s going to be an eye-opening read!

1) He’s always the center of his stories

In the world of relationships and interactions, we all love a good story.

There’s nothing wrong with sharing personal experiences or anecdotes – in fact, it’s a great way to connect with others.

But when it comes to self-obsessed individuals, there’s a unique pattern that begins to emerge.

You see, for them, every story or conversation seems to eventually revolve around them. Even when the initial topic is unrelated, they have an uncanny ability to steer the conversation back towards themselves.

This isn’t necessarily done with ill intentions. Often, they’re not even aware that they’re doing it. But it can leave you feeling like your experiences or opinions are being overshadowed by their need to be at the center of attention.

So if you notice a man consistently making himself the hero, antagonist, or main character of every anecdote or conversation, it might be a sign of underlying self-obsession. It’s as if they’re living in their own personal movie where they’re always in the spotlight.

Remember, everyone deserves a chance to shine in their own stories – not just be an extra in someone else’s.

2) Lack of empathy

Now, this is a big one.

Empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others – is a key component of healthy relationships. It helps us connect with others on a deeper level, and allows us to see things from their perspective.

However, self-obsessed individuals often struggle with this concept.

You see, their focus is so heavily skewed towards themselves that they find it challenging to truly empathize with others.

They might feign understanding or sympathy, but when it comes down to actually stepping into someone else’s shoes and feeling their emotions… well, that’s where they falter.

But here’s the kicker: this lack of empathy isn’t always obvious.

In fact, a self-obsessed person might be quite charming and engaging on the surface. But when you need emotional support or understanding, they often fall short, leaving you feeling unheard or undervalued.

In essence, if a man lacks the ability to empathize with others and consistently prioritizes his own feelings over those of others, it might be an indicator of a self-obsessed personality.

3) Overly sensitive to criticism

This one might seem a bit counter-intuitive at first.

One might assume that a self-obsessed individual, with their inflated sense of self, would be immune to criticism. But in reality, the opposite is often true.

You see, self-obsessed individuals often hold themselves in high regard. So high, in fact, that any form of criticism or feedback can feel like a personal attack.

This sensitivity stems from their desire to maintain a perfect image of themselves. Any suggestion that they might have flaws or areas that need improvement is met with defensiveness, denial, or even outright hostility.

So while they may appear confident and self-assured on the surface, they are actually quite fragile when it comes to handling criticism.

If a man gets defensive or upset over seemingly constructive feedback, it could be an indication of underlying self-obsession. This behavior suggests an inability to accept that he, like everyone else, has room for growth and improvement.

4) Rarely asks about others

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who talks endlessly about themselves but never seems interested in your life?

It can be a draining experience, right?

This is another common trait of self-obsessed individuals. Due to their preoccupation with themselves, they often fail to show genuine interest in others.

They might nod along or make appropriate noises when you’re speaking, but rarely do they ask follow-up questions or delve deeper into your experiences.

Instead, they’re quick to turn the conversation back to their lives or experiences.

If a man rarely asks about your day, your feelings, or your experiences, it might suggest that he is more concerned with himself than with the people around him. This lack of genuine interest in others is a clear red flag for self-obsession.

5) Excessive vanity

Now, there’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance or wanting to present your best self to the world.

However, when this concern becomes excessive, it can point towards self-obsession.

Here are some signs that a man might be excessively vain:

• Spending an inordinate amount of time in front of the mirror
• Frequent and unnecessary wardrobe changes
• Constant need for validation on physical appearance
• Obsession with status symbols (designer clothes, expensive cars etc.)

This excessive vanity often stems from a deep-seated need to be admired and validated by others.

It’s not so much about feeling good in their own skin, but more about how they’re perceived by others. This obsession with external validation is a classic indicator of self-obsession.

6) Lack of accountability

Let’s be real, we all make mistakes. I have, you have – it’s part of being human.

What differentiates us, though, is how we handle those slip-ups.

Now, in my experience, self-obsessed individuals have a hard time accepting responsibility for their actions. Instead of owning up to their mistakes, they often find ways to shift the blame onto others.

It’s as if their self-image is so precious that admitting fault would shatter it. So they navigate around it, deflecting accountability and refusing to acknowledge their part in any wrongdoing.

On the surface, this might look like self-preservation. But in reality, it’s a clear sign of self-obsession.

If a man consistently avoids taking responsibility for his actions and instead shifts blame onto others, it might suggest an underlying obsession with preserving his self-image at the expense of others.

7) Always needs to be right

Imagine you’re in a heated discussion with a friend. You’re both passionate about your viewpoints, but instead of agreeing to disagree, your friend insists on proving that his perspective is the ‘right’ one.

Does this sound familiar?

This need to always be right is another common trait of self-obsessed individuals. They view their opinions as facts and fail to recognize the validity of differing perspectives.

This isn’t just about winning an argument; it’s about an inability to accept that their viewpoint might not always be the correct or only one.

And let’s think about this – if a man persistently needs to have the last word or can’t accept differing viewpoints, what does it say about his ability to respect and value others’ perspectives?

It might suggest a deeper obsession with asserting his own superiority, often at the expense of others. This inability to accept that he might be wrong is a classic sign of self-obsession.

8) Excessive competitiveness

A little bit of healthy competition can be a great motivator. It can push us to strive for better, to challenge ourselves and to grow.

But when competition becomes an obsession, it can be a sign of self-obsession.

I remember a friend from college who always had to be the best at everything. Whether it was grades, sports or even video games, he was relentlessly competitive. It wasn’t enough for him to succeed; he had to be superior to everyone else.

This constant need to outdo others wasn’t about personal growth or self-improvement. Instead, it was about asserting his dominance and showcasing his superiority.

When a man turns every interaction into a competition and constantly needs to prove his superiority, it might suggest an underlying self-obsession.

This relentless competitiveness often reflects a deep-seated need to validate their self-worth by outperforming others.

9) Disregard for boundaries

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, disregard for personal boundaries is a glaring sign of self-obsession.

Boundaries are crucial in any form of relationship. They help maintain respect and understanding between individuals.

However, a self-obsessed individual often fails to recognize these boundaries. Their focus on their own needs and desires can lead them to overstep or disregard the boundaries set by others.

This isn’t about intentional disrespect or malicious intent. Often, they are simply so wrapped up in their own world that they fail to consider how their actions might affect others.

If a man consistently disregards your personal boundaries, it’s a clear indication of self-obsession. This behavior suggests a lack of respect for your autonomy and an inability to prioritize your comfort over their desires.

And with that, we’ve covered the final sign of self-obsession. It’s crucial to be aware of these behaviors, not just in others but also in ourselves, as self-awareness is the first step towards growth and improvement.

So, what can we do about it?

Recognizing self-obsession in others is one thing.

But how do we respond to it? How can we manage relationships with self-obsessed individuals and maintain our own emotional health?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Set clear boundaries and stick to them
• Practice open and honest communication
• Don’t take their behavior personally
• Engage in self-care and protect your own emotional wellbeing

Understanding self-obsession is not just about identifying these traits in others, but also reflecting on our own behaviors. After all, self-awareness is the first step towards personal growth.

So, let’s take a moment to reflect on our behaviours, our relationships, and how we can strive to be better, more empathetic individuals in our interactions with others.

Remember, everyone has the capacity for change and growth. And it all starts with awareness.