Situation - Expose the Inbuilt Worseness™ -
Worse is Me™

I ignore the feelings of others - always. I am a narcissist, a critic and I am not passive-aggressive.

I am assertive, goal-oriented and rational, but at the expense of my emotional well-being. Feelings are sidelined until they cannot be ignored any longer, often resulting in a 'loss explosion' that startles everyone including me. I am shameless at self-promotion and I put this above anything. My motto is "the ends justify the means". I am willing to do a lot to achieve the ends, regardless if what is done is “good” or not. I confirm my bully boy reputation.

I should, but do not, take time to understand and address issues and feelings rather than objectifying them and sweeping them under the carpet. My method is the equivalent of addressing the problem of a roof leak by asking a meeting attendee to move their chair. It is called 'Normalization of Deviance' if it happens again. I should, but do not, schedule regular self-check-ins to write down or process my feelings. I should, but do not, experiment with expressive outlets such as journaling, music or art to process emotions. I should, but do not, remind myself that when I am angry I am are more likely to be overly-convinced in my 'rightness'. I should, but do not, try to get some time alone to breathe deeply, punch a pillow or otherwise let off some steam without damaging an important relationship when I feel a 'loss explosion' coming on. You should engage in empathetic confrontation (for my narcissism). You should set healthy limits (for me as a critic).

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?

I rationalize argumentative and manipulative behaviour - always. I can be a narcissist, a critic and I am not passive-aggressive.

I am so clever and adept at understanding others which translates into argumentative and manipulative behaviour which I leave unchecked. I play the victim to get what I want and I do this by actively manipulating others by attention-seeking, inflicting blame and guilt and evading accountability. I rationalize my actions as simply 'outsmarting' others to get what I want. But ultimately, this kind of rationalizing can lead to damaged relationships and pain later on. I think that a clarification is not to make things clear but to put myself in the clear. I know that I am sneaky and Machiavellian. I am not the paragon of virtues.

I should, but do not, focus on using my intelligence to be ruthless with logic; even against myself. I should, but do not, reflect on the consequences of my manipulative actions and commit to ethical persuasion. I should, but do not, practice being radically honest with myself and others rather than playing off other people’s feelings or my perceptions of their weaknesses. I should, but do not, tap into my Introverted Thinking side to debate my own logic when I find myself trying to manipulate a situation. You should engage in empathetic confrontation (for my narcissism). You should set healthy limits (for me as a critic).

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?

I succumb to gossip - always. I am not a narcissist, am a critic and I am not passive-aggressive.

I am the social butterfly but my love for conversation and connection can sometimes veer into the realm of gossip. I love the sense of camaraderie and kinship that comes with sharing a juicy bit of news. But the long-term effects can be devastating. I am practically ethical and I do the right thing. I am less concerned with moral ethics as the thoughts in my head are morally correct. I am light outside and dark inside.

I should, but do not, focus on building genuine connections through positive conversations and uplifting actions. I should, but do not, challenge myself to avoid discussions that involve speculating about others. I should, but do not, redirect conversations that turn gossipy towards into more positive topics. I should, but do not, practice empathy by considering how I would feel in the other person’s shoes. You should set healthy limits (for me as a critic).

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?

I seek quick fixes - always. I am a narcissist, not a critic and I am not passive-aggressive.

I am active and fun-loving and I tend to live a life that is always in motion. But I look for shortcuts rather than putting in a sustained effort. This can result in work that I am not truly proud of or decisions that I later regret. This can manifest itself in spending all my money on impromptu vacations rather than having a 'safety savings fund' and then disaster strikes later. I want all the attention focussed on me.

I should, but do not, practice setting and achieving small goals before moving onto larger ones. I should, but do not, take the time to research options and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. I should, but do not, surround myself with people who value hard work and dedication as their influence can help balance out my impulsive tendencies. You should engage in empathetic confrontation (for my narcissism).

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?

I do not live in the moment - always. I am a narcissist, am not a critic and I am not passive-aggressive.

I have a rich inner life and have a forward-thinking outlook, I can often find myself disconnected from the present. Dreaming big is important, but not when it constantly pulls me away from the here and now. Sometimes stopping and smelling the roses actually matters. I might not feel like it, but I only have one life to live and I should not spend it all dreaming about the next chapter. I have brooding dark thoughts.

I should, but do not, try daily mindfulness exercises to anchor me to the present. I should, but do not, create a gratitude journal to appreciate small, daily experiences. I should, but do not, challenge myself to go on technology-free walks, just observing and connecting. You should engage in empathetic confrontation (for my narcissism).

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?

I neglect emotional investment in relationships - always. I am not a narcissist, am a critic and I am not passive-aggressive.

I am pragmatic and free-spirited, but I can inadvertently neglect the emotional investment required to strengthen bonds with loved ones. I underestimate just how much I mean to others or assume that others may not even like me. Over time this can lead to relationships dwindling via neglect or family members feeling that I simply do not care about them. My enjoyment of fast cars, expensive meals and exotic getaways are not everyone's cup of tea. I am morally ethical which means that I refuse to compronise my beliefs. I can become unhinged and unpredictable.

I should, but do not, make a conscious effort to express appreciation and affection to those whom I care about. I never send a “Thinking of you! Hope you are well” text to someone I love each day. I should, but do not, engage in deep conversations periodically to show I am invested in a relationship. I should, but do not, set reminders to check in with friends or loved ones to show that I am thinking about them. You should set healthy limits (for me as a critic).

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?

I resist change - always. I am not a narcissist, am a critic and I am not passive-aggressive.

I pride myself on my common sense, practicality and love for the tried and tested. I dismiss new ideas or unconventional possibilities without giving them a fair chance. I shake my head with eyebrows raised and am suspicious of anything that is a departure of what I know. My stoic resistance to change not only limits me but can also be frustrating for those around them looking to broaden their horizons. I avoid situations where fake people tend to operate.

I should, but do not, be consciously open to new ideas and experiences, just a little each day. I should, but do not, experiment in low-stakes situations to experience the benefit of adaptability. I should, but do not, collaborate with someone who favours out-of-the-box thinking and reflect on the outcomes. You should set healthy limits (for me as a critic).

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?

I avoid vulnerability - always. I am a narcissist, am a massive and I am not passive-aggressive.

I tend to have a stoic, confident demeanour and are famous for my mastermind strategies. But my loathing for vulnerability can lead to an emotional bottleneck, not letting the people closest to me see my true self. I would rather give myself papercuts than open up about my feelings; but this can lead to a long-term sense of isolation and an inability to find close, meaningful friendships. I will exit asap when I see fake people or idiots. I am the coldest human.

I should, but do not, practice expressing emotions through writing if verbal sharing is difficult. I should, but do not, jot down my feelings as a way to process them and guide decisions. I should, but do not, reflect on past instances where showing vulnerability led to positive outcomes. You should engage in empathetic confrontation (for my narcissism). You should set healthy limits (for me as a critic). [Elizabeth Hunter™ has never done any of these 'shoulds' in six decades!]

Worse is Me™ - do you agree that this is me?