9 signs you can be seriously difficult to get along with, according to psychology

Do you ever wonder if people find you hard to be around? According to psychology, certain behaviors—like being overly critical or dismissing others’ feelings—can make someone difficult to get along with.

In this article, I’ll share with you nine signs you can be seriously difficult to get along with, not as a judgment but as a tool for self-improvement.

Because the first step to change is awareness. Let’s dive in!

1) You tend to take control in conversations

We all love a good chat, don’t we? But here’s the kicker. If you’re the one doing most of the talking, it may be a sign that you’re difficult to get along with.

Psychology suggests that individuals who dominate conversations often come across as self-centered or uninterested in others. This can make it tough for people to connect with you on a deeper level.

A balanced conversation is like a dance. It involves active listening, empathy, and mutual respect. It’s not just about voicing your own thoughts and opinions but also being genuinely interested in what others have to say.

So, if you find yourself monopolizing conversations more often than not, it might be time to take a step back and listen more.

After all, there’s so much we can learn from one another. And who knows? By simply listening, you might find your relationships improving significantly.

2) You’re not open to feedback

I remember a time when I struggled with this myself. I had just started Ideapod, and like any entrepreneur, I was passionate and convinced about my approach.

But as the business grew, I started receiving feedback – some of it direct, some of it subtle.

Initially, I took it personally. I thought it was a critique of my abilities and my vision. But over time, I realized that feedback wasn’t about undermining my efforts.

It was about helping me see things from different perspectives and improving what I had set out to achieve.

The moment I opened myself up to feedback, things started shifting. My relationships improved, both professionally and personally, and so did the business.

Becoming open to feedback doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything that’s said. It’s about listening, absorbing, and then making informed decisions based on your values and goals.

So if you find yourself getting defensive when someone offers their perspective or advice, take a moment to reflect. It could be a sign that you’re making it difficult for others to get along with you.

3) You’re often impatient with others

Let’s face it, patience isn’t always our strongest suit. We live in a fast-paced world where time is often equated with efficiency.

But here’s the catch – when we’re always in a hurry, we can unintentionally come across as dismissive or uncaring.

Impatience can manifest in many ways. It could be interrupting someone while they’re speaking, rushing decisions, or getting frustrated when things don’t go as planned.

When this happens, it creates a barrier between you and the people around you. It sends a message that their time, opinions, or feelings are less important than your own.

But learning to cultivate patience is more than just waiting for your turn to speak or for things to fall into place.

It’s about developing an appreciation for the journey and not just the destination. It’s about understanding that everyone has their own pace, their own process.

4) You often fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others

We’re all guilty of it to some extent – the comparison game. Whether we’re scrolling through social media or having a conversation with a friend, it’s all too easy to fall into the pit of comparing our lives, achievements, and experiences to those of others.

This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, resentment, and can make us difficult to get along with.

After all, it’s challenging to maintain positive relationships when we’re busy measuring our worth against someone else’s highlight reel.

But here’s the good news: there’s a way out of this cycle. It starts with understanding that every person is on their unique journey, with diverse experiences and different timelines. Our paths are not meant to be identical.

To dive deeper into this idea, check out my video where I explore the concept of giving up on being a ‘good person’ and the surprising benefits it can bring to our lives.

If you find this video helpful and you’re interested in further exploring my philosophy on living with purpose and freedom, click here.

It’s a journey that encourages individuality, authenticity, and self-growth. I promise you won’t regret it!

5) You’re resistant to change

Change is a constant in life, yet it’s something many of us resist. We get comfortable in our routines, our beliefs, our ways of doing things.

And, when change comes knocking, we may respond with fear, anxiety, or stubbornness.

But here’s the thing – being resistant to change can make us difficult to get along with. It can limit our perspectives, hinder our growth, and create tension in our relationships.

Often, we resist change because it threatens our sense of control. But embracing change isn’t about losing control. It’s about adapting and finding control within the alterations life throws our way.

Change is an opportunity for growth and learning. It’s a chance to explore new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

So instead of resisting it, try embracing it. You might be surprised at how much richer and more fulfilling your relationships and life can become.

6) You’re often negative

Did you know that our thoughts can significantly impact our interactions with others?

Psychology tells us that negativity, such as constant complaining or pessimism, can be as contagious as a cold. It can affect the mood and energy of those around us, making it challenging for people to enjoy our company.

But here’s the interesting part – it’s not about being positive all the time. That’s unrealistic and can suppress genuine emotions.

Instead, it’s about finding a balance. It’s about acknowledging our feelings, seeking solutions where possible, and not letting negativity dominate our outlook.

By actively cultivating a more balanced mindset, we can improve our relationships and overall well-being.

7) You struggle with empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s a vital skill for building connections and maintaining healthy relationships.

However, if you struggle with empathy, this could be a sign that you’re difficult to get along with.

People may feel misunderstood or invalidated in your presence, which can create a barrier to authentic communication and connection.

Cultivating empathy doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone or solve their problems. It’s about listening, understanding, and validating their feelings. It’s about putting yourself in their shoes and seeing things from their perspective.

8) You’re not flexible

In life and in relationships, flexibility is key. If you’re rigid in your thinking or unwilling to compromise, it can make you difficult to get along with.

Being flexible doesn’t mean you have to abandon your principles or always give in to others. It’s about recognizing that there’s more than one way to do things, and that other people’s ideas and approaches can be just as valid as your own.

Flexibility promotes cooperation, mutual respect, and understanding—all vital ingredients for positive relationships. 

9) You don’t respect boundaries

Respecting boundaries is crucial in maintaining healthy relationships. Whether it’s personal space, time, emotional boundaries, or even digital boundaries—crossing these lines can make you difficult to get along with.

If you often find yourself overstepping or ignoring the boundaries of others, it might be time to reassess your actions.

Respecting boundaries is a form of respect for the person and their individual needs and preferences.

By recognizing and honoring the boundaries of others, you can foster stronger, more respectful, and more fulfilling relationships.

Final thoughts

Change might not happen overnight, but with consistent mindfulness and effort, you can make significant strides toward becoming a more empathetic, flexible, and respectful person.

To help facilitate this journey of self-improvement and empowerment, I’d like to introduce a valuable tool I created – the Wake-Up Call.

This free AI tool is designed to give you the single most impactful message you need right now to shift from living life in autopilot mode to moving forward in life.

You just have to ask a question about some aspect of your life so it can hone in on giving you advice based on my library of online courses and YouTube videos. It’s like having a personal mentor providing unique insights tailored specifically for you.

You can access the Wake-Up Call tool here. It’s my hope that this tool will provide the wake-up call you need to start living life with more authenticity, empathy, and respect for others.