5 Reasons You Should Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself

Stop Feeling Sorry For Yoursefl

Verywell / Julie Bang

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Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern.

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Friday Fix: Episode 96

Whether you’ve gone through a bad breakup or you’re struggling with your financial situation, it’s so tempting to feel sorry for yourself.

Sometimes, I hear people say, “I’ll only let myself have a pity party for a little while.” But allowing yourself to indulge in self-pity is a slippery slope. It’s tough to stop feeling sorry for yourself once you start. Self-pity is self-destructive. But, it’s much different than sadness.

Allowing yourself to feel sad can be part of the healing process. Feeling sorry for yourself, however, will keep you stuck in a place of pain.

Unfortunately, we all allow ourselves to engage in self-pity sometimes. So on today’s Friday Fix, I share why it can feel so good to feel sorry for ourselves.

I also explain the top five reasons why you shouldn’t do it and I offer some concrete strategies that can prevent self-pity (as well as help you find your way out if you’re already feeling sorry for yourself).

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By Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.