Everyone has flaws and makes mistakes, but some people work overtime trying to convince themselves they’re basically perfect.
They lack self-awareness, avoid accountability, fail to grow as people, all because they confuse to confront the reality of their own behaviour. As enlightened as they might think they are, anyone who uses these phrases regularly clearly has a problem with owning up to their weak spots.
1. “I’m just being honest.”
They use brutal honesty as an excuse for being cruel. Actually, they’re choosing the harshest way to say things because it gives them a kick. They ignore how many times their ‘honesty’ conveniently hurts people while making themselves feel powerful. Deep down, they know there are kinder ways to tell the truth.
2. “People are just too sensitive nowadays.”
Instead of considering how their words affect those around them, they blame everyone else for having feelings. They convince themselves the world is getting softer, rather than facing their own lack of empathy. They’ll bring up how things were ‘back in their day’ to justify carrying on being harsh. Their refusal to adapt becomes everyone else’s problem.
3. “That’s just how I am.”
They treat their worst traits like unchangeable facts rather than choices. Using their personality as a shield lets them off the hook for any bad behaviour. They’ve decided their toxic habits are permanent features, not things they could work on. This excuse gives them permission to never grow or improve.
4. “You made me do it.”
They refuse to own their reactions, always blaming other people for ‘pushing them’ to behave badly. If they lash out, it’s because someone provoked them. If they lie, it’s because someone forced their hand. They never accept that their responses are their own choice. Their actions always become someone else’s fault.
5. “I’ve got trust issues.”
They use past hurts to justify controlling or suspicious behaviour in current relationships. Rather than work on healing, they wear their trust issues like a badge that excuses toxic behaviour. Their past becomes a permanent get-out-of-jail-free card for treating people badly. They never consider that trust issues can be worked through.
6. “Everyone else is fake.”
They label basic politeness and social skills as dishonest while praising their own rudeness as authenticity. Being kind becomes suspicious in their eyes. They’ve convinced themselves that treating people decently means being fake. This lets them feel superior about their lack of social graces.
7. “Nobody appreciates what I do.”
They keep score of every favour but ignore what other people do for them. They build resentment by focusing only on their own contributions. When people don’t show enough gratitude, they feel justified in acting out. They use their perceived lack of appreciation to excuse bitter behaviour.
8. “I’ve had it worse than them.”
They use their own struggles to dismiss other people’s feelings. Their hardships become reason enough to disregard anyone else’s pain. They’ve turned their past into competition that no one else can win. This comparison lets them avoid showing empathy when it’s needed.
9. “They’ll get over it.”
They brush off the impact of their actions by deciding how people should feel. When they hurt someone, they skip straight to expecting forgiveness. They’ve decided they get to choose how long someone else’s pain should last. Their timeline for moving on becomes the only acceptable one.
10. “I’m doing this for their own good.”
They dress up controlling behaviour as concern. Their interference gets painted as help, even when no one asked for it. They convince themselves their intentions make their actions okay. This lie lets them feel noble about crossing boundaries.
11. “Everyone thinks the same way.”
They assume their negative thoughts must be universal. If they judge someone, surely everyone else does too. When they gossip or criticise, they pretend they’re just saying what everyone’s thinking. This helps them feel less guilty about spreading negativity.
12. “They deserve it.”
They justify mean behaviour by deciding other people have earned bad treatment. Any slight becomes reason enough for revenge. They convince themselves their actions are just fair consequences. This lie lets them feel righteous about choosing to be cruel.
13. “I never meant to hurt anyone.”
They hide behind intentions while ignoring their actual impact. When called out, they focus on what they meant rather than what they did. They use this excuse to avoid taking responsibility for consequences. Their good intentions become more important than real harm done.
14. “Other people do worse things.”
They make themselves feel better by pointing at people who behave worse. Their actions seem fine compared to bigger wrongs in the world. They’ve created a sliding scale where they’re never the worst offender. This comparison lets them dodge improving their own behaviour.
15. “They’re just jealous.”
They write off all criticism as envy to avoid self-reflection. When people point out their behaviour, they assume it comes from spite. Any negative feedback gets dismissed as other people being bitter. This excuse protects their ego while blocking any chance for growth.
