Stop the Victim Consciousness

Victim consciousness or the martyr is an ego aspect of self, many battle detaching from. When we have been hurt many deny taking personal responsibility for what happened in their life. Victim consciousness individuals believe the world is against them. They see themselves as helpless targets of others negative actions and behaviors. It is also a coping mechanism used to cope with the pain and trauma.

This may sound heartless, but society has justified being a victim. The victim mentality fosters powerless beings and deeply feeds the ego. The ego is the martyr. It is easier to blame others for what is not working in our life, instead of taking personal responsibility. Shifting blame to others and not self-reflecting upon our role in the experience is attachment. Attachment of any kind hinders growth, learning, realization, and healing. It keeps you bound as a powerless being. Most of us have been through so much trauma, our entire identity has been created and based off trauma. It becomes difficult to detach from this old self and reality. A “Spiritual Death” is required to be reborn so the new self can emerge.

We may hold on to pain to create a false sense of power or fear of the unknown. It is easier to blame others because recognizing self as the common denominator needing to be healed requires surrender of control. Although unhealthy, to some, any sense of control is better than the feeling of not having control. It is in the surrender of the "martyr" mentality growth and freedom truly occurs. Victim consciousness individuals have been stripped of, given over, or never embodied their true power. Due to this, they find power in their anger, resentment, blame, victim consciousness, and playing the martyr. Basically, being the mistreated "sacrificial lamb."

Once you start to recognize and work with this aspect of self or others, patience and observation is key. Ensure not to feed into the '"martyr" mentality. Remember, you are being guided to reprogram your entire way of viewing life and life’s experiences. Perspective is limited at this time until you connect with your observer self. Until that time, you will stay trapped in time. Reliving the pain of the past. Holding on to false power. False power is nothing but attachment to the pain. What your spirit is looking for is love and validation from wherever it can be received. Even if it means cycling old situations and feelings in your mind. Unless you are ready to leave this space, your journey will not move forward. Your purpose will continue to remain hidden.

To break free of this mentality, you must acknowledge you have a victim consciousness mentality. This nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. Your strength is being true to yourself and your experience. Be patient and allow yourself time to heal through self-analyzing questions. Self-analyzing questions help you discover why you continue to hold on to the anger, resentment, self-doubt, frustration, sadness, etc. Self-analyzing empowers your observer self. Let the questions you ask yourself to flow organically.

As a Master Life Coach, I make it a random process to give my clients assignments. Not only does this develop more of the observer self but shows if they are truly serious about their healing and who simply wants to continue to be a martyr. The assignments assist in fostering self-acceptance and self-love. When it comes to the victim consciousness mentality, your thought processes must be reprogrammed to progress.

Below are some questions you can ask yourself to begin the shift in perspective:

1. What is another perspective?

2. What else could be true about this situation?

3. What could be another possible outcome?

4. What would happen if that did not occur?

5. What other options are there to consider?

6. What have I learned from the situation that will help me progress positively?

Exercise

Journaling is such an important aspect of the reprogramming the mind and shifting perspective. You can also release trapped energies and feelings. One must understand and feel this process. Try the below exercise.

1. Reflect on a situation where fell into victim consciousness. Write this situation down as the martyr.

2. Write how and when you understood you it was time to reclaim your power and be accountable for the situation?

3. What did this look like? Describe it.

4. Once you realized you had control, what feelings and emotions were experience?

5. What part did you play?

7. What difference in your body do you feel energetically as you navigate this experience?

6. How does your body react to the varied feelings and emotions of the victim consciousness mentality and insight involving the situation?

When we become aware we have fallen into a victim consciousness mentality, we quickly start to become responsible for our actions, emotions, and behaviors thereafter. The responsibility for how our reality plays out after this discovery is now in our hands. We can then start to take our power back through healing this wounded aspect of self.