Far too many of us are self-obsessed.
 
Self-obsession is an epidemic in the modern world. New technologies and the comfort of modern life give us too much opportunity for self-obsessing.
 
Self-obsession is a trap it’s all too easy to fall into. And it can bring us great harm.
 
Self-obsession is painful. It breeds worry and provokes narcissism and anxiety. A self-obsessed life is a stressful, exhausting life.
 
Self-obsession is a straightjacket that can prevent us from being our happy, spontaneous best-selves.
 
Most of us would benefit from being less self-obsessed. The less self-obsessed we become, the freer we become.
 
Here are 8 ways to be less self-obsessed.
 
Learn About History
 
Learning about history teaches us perspective. Our little worries seem so petty when compared to the hardships humans suffered throughout history.
 
Tragedy and brutality were the norm in human history. Deeply understanding this allows us to put our self-obsessive thoughts into perspective.
 
A great example of compelling history content is the Hardcore History Podcast by Dan Carlin.
 
Other subjects that can provide us with a healthy dose of perspective are physics and astronomy.
 
Contemplating history, the cosmos, or nature allows us to see how insignificant our self-obsessions are. In seeing this, we become free.
 
Become a Parent
 
Becoming a parent makes people less self-obsessed. Animal instincts kick in and a person becomes far more interested in their child’s well-being than in their own.
 
People can certainly be parents and yet remain self-obsessed. But caring for a child will usually (and ideally) necessitate at least some reduction in self-obsession.
 
The same effect can come from caring for any dependant, such as an adopted child, an old or vulnerable person, a pet even.
 
By putting the wellbeing of others above your own, and taking responsibility for others, you can learn to be less self-obsessed.
 
Volunteer
 
Volunteering for a charity can make you less self-obsessed. Working with people who are less fortunate than you can give you some much-needed perspective.
 
Apply to volunteer with a local charity… keeping old people company, feeding the homeless. Volunteer in whatever way speaks to you.
 
With the new perspective that volunteering will give you, self-obsessing will seem pathetic.