The Victim Mentality

The Victim Mentality 
I woke up this morning with a million thoughts in my mind. Instead of spending endless hours scrolling through social media, I made the decision to find something interesting to read. After a few minutes of searching the web, I came across an article on Psychology Today about “the hidden psychological forces that shape your identity, happiness, and future.” It explained that the stories we tell ourselves about who we are can be either helpful or unhelpful. Reading this made me realize that I’ve been sabotaging myself for most of my life. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve carried a negative image of myself, and society has reinforced those beliefs.
As an adult, I’ve come to the conclusion that no matter what I do, it’s never enough. I constantly put myself down with thoughts like, “Don’t waste your time you’re going to fail anyway,” or “People won’t even see you as a human being.” These negative thoughts keep me in a dark box.  Being confined to a wheelchair has made me feel inferior, like I’m somehow less of a man. That mentality has become part of my daily struggle. But it’s important to admit this: I’ve also placed myself in a victim position. I created a false narrative where winning in life feels almost impossible, always blaming my physical and intellectual limitations. Instead of focusing on solutions, I focused on the problems.

The author of the article, Anna Katharina Schaffner, states: “While our stories shape us, our stories are also ours to shape. It is possible to change our relationship to our inner narratives. We can learn to step back from them, to see them as constructions rather than immutable truths. We can broaden access to our memories, recalibrate our attention, and loosen the grip of self-blaming or world blaming interpretations.”​ She also makes it clear that this does not mean replacing “negative” stories with artificially positive affirmations, nor does it mean denying hardship or pain. Instead, it means becoming a more discerning narrator of our own lives. In 2026, I want to change my mindset. I want to leave behind the victim mentality and consciously change the narrative I’ve been living with. I want to see myself as a strong individual who can achieve great things in life, a man who is the hero of his own story rather than a victim of his circumstances.
I’ve created a list of goals for 2026. These goals are designed to help me build myself and grow in different aspects of my life.                                                                                                                                                                                                    First, I want to focus on my blog. Instead of spending endless time on social media, I want to use that time to write about my life and share my personal journey. Writing helps me reflect, understand myself better, and turn my experiences into something meaningful.
​Second, I want to work consistently on my YouTube channel. The goal is to educate and spread awareness about different issues that affect our communities. I don’t want to create content just to entertain, I want it to inform, educate and spray a positive message.
Third, I want to dedicate more time to art. There are moments when I feel I haven’t given art the space it deserves in my life. I want to use my talent for something positive, to express myself honestly, and not simply follow trends.
Lastly, I want to create a non profit organization. This is something I’ve carried in my heart for a long time. My goal is to provide wheelchairs for children in Mexico. This is one of my main projects, and it gives purpose to everything else I’m building.
I’ll end this by sharing a few questions that may help you reflect. These questions are meant to challenge your mindset and, over time, help change the way you see your life.​

• What evidence am I repeatedly highlighting and what am I ignoring?
• Which version of this story makes me more capable, compassionate, and alive?
• What would a fairer, fuller interpretation look like?

                                                                               
​Works Cited
“Are You Stuck in a Story That No Longer Serves You?” Psychology Today, 2026, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-art-of-self-improvement/202601/are-you-stuck-in-a-story-that-no-longer-serves-you. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.