Lachlan Brown
It’s often hard to recognize our own flaws, especially when it comes to how we interact with others.
You might think you’re easy to get along with, but there could be signs you’re missing that suggest otherwise.
Being a difficult person isn’t about being unpleasant or rude all the time. It’s more subtle and can come down to certain habits or behaviors that push people away, even if unintentionally.
Here are some indicators that you might be more challenging to be around than you realize.
And remember, acknowledging these signs is the first step towards becoming someone easier to get along with.
Let’s dive into these eight signs that you may be a difficult person, even if it’s the last thing you’d suspect.
1) You’re often the center of attention
Feeling comfortable in the spotlight isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But when you always need to be the center of attention, it can be a sign that you’re difficult to get along with.
Think about your interactions with friends, family, or colleagues. Do you always steer the conversation towards yourself? Do you feel comfortable when others are in the spotlight?
Often, people who are difficult to get along with have a tendency to monopolize conversations and make every topic about them. They might not even realize they’re doing it, but it’s a trait that can make others feel unheard or unimportant.
Relationships are about give and take. If you’re always taking the stage and never giving others their moment to shine, it might be time to reassess your communication style.
2) Not much empathy
I remember a time when I was so focused on my own world, my own problems, that I forgot to consider the feelings of others.
It was during a particularly stressful period at work. I was juggling multiple projects and felt like I was on the verge of burning out. One day, a colleague came to me with an issue they were dealing with. Instead of lending a sympathetic ear, I brushed them off, saying “at least you’re not dealing with what I’m going through”.
Looking back now, I realize how dismissive and unempathetic I was. It wasn’t intentional, but my lack of empathy made me difficult to be around.
If you often find yourself disregarding the feelings and experiences of others, especially when they’re different from your own, it could be a sign that you’re a challenging person to be around. Empathy is a key component in building strong, healthy relationships. Without it, you risk pushing people away.
3) You’re resistant to change
Did you know that humans are creatures of habit? Our brains are wired to follow routines and resist change. It’s a survival instinct from our hunter-gatherer ancestors, who needed predictability to stay safe and secure.
But in today’s fast-paced world, being resistant to change can make you difficult to get along with. Whether it’s refusing to adapt to new technology at work or resisting changes in your personal relationships, this inflexibility can strain your interactions with others.
Being adaptable doesn’t mean you should compromise your values or ignore your comfort zone. But a healthy willingness to adjust, learn, and grow is essential for maintaining positive relationships.
4) You’re a chronic complainer
We all have bad days where nothing seems to go right, and it’s completely natural to vent our frustrations. But if complaining has become your default setting, it could be making you a difficult person to be around.
Constant negativity can drain the energy from those around you. It can turn friendly conversations into gripe sessions and paint an unnecessarily dismal picture of life.
If you find yourself always focusing on the negative, try shifting your perspective. Practice gratitude, seek solutions instead of dwelling on problems, and try to maintain a positive outlook. It will not only improve your mood but also make you more pleasant to be around.
5) You struggle to forgive and forget
Holding onto grudges is like carrying a heavy backpack — it weighs you down, slows your progress, and makes the journey more challenging than it needs to be.
If you find it hard to let go of past wrongs or are always bringing up old issues in current conversations, you might be a difficult person to get along with. Not only does this unwillingness to forgive create tension, but it also prevents the growth and development of your relationships.
Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes. Learning to forgive is not just about letting others off the hook, but also about freeing yourself from carrying the burden of resentment. It’s about giving yourself the gift of peace and making your relationships lighter and more fulfilling.
6) You have a hard time accepting criticism
A few years ago, I was working on a project that I was extremely passionate about. I poured my heart and soul into it, so when my manager gave me some critical feedback, it felt like a punch to the gut. I reacted defensively, failing to see the value in the constructive critique.
This is a sign of being difficult to get along with. If you view criticism as a personal attack rather than an opportunity for growth, it can strain your relationships and stunt your personal development.
It’s never easy to hear negative feedback, but learning to accept and grow from it is crucial. It shows maturity and willingness to improve, traits that make you easier to get along with.
7) You’re often argumentative
Passionate debates and healthy disagreements are a normal part of any relationship. But if you find yourself constantly arguing, even over trivial matters, it can be a sign that you’re hard to get along with.
Being argumentative can create unnecessary strain in your relationships. It can make people feel like they always need to be on guard around you, which is not conducive to comfortable and enjoyable interactions.
The key is to learn how to express your opinions respectfully and understand that it’s okay for others to have different viewpoints. Disagreements are inevitable, but they don’t always have to turn into arguments.
8) You struggle with active listening
At the heart of every meaningful relationship lies effective communication, and a crucial part of that is active listening. It’s more than just hearing the words someone is saying; it’s about understanding, empathizing, and responding in a thoughtful way.
If you often find yourself waiting for your turn to speak instead of truly hearing what the other person is saying, you might be a difficult person to get along with. It sends a message that you value your own thoughts and opinions more than theirs.
Practicing active listening can significantly improve your relationships. It shows others that you value their perspectives, fostering a sense of respect and mutual understanding.
Did you like my article? Like me on Facebook to see more articles like this in your feed.
