Dealing with someone who behaves like the universe spins for them and them alone can be a real challenge.

You’ve probably tried to understand them, even made efforts to accommodate their quirks, but it seems like nothing changes.

Often, it’s not even that they’re purposely being difficult.

They may just be oblivious to the fact that their actions and attitudes suggest they’re the sun, and we’re all just planets in their orbit.

Here’s how to spot those telltale signs that someone in your life might just think the world revolves around them, even if they don’t realize it themselves.

1) They monopolize conversations

Communication is a two-way street, but for those who act as if the world revolves around them, it’s more like a one-way highway with them in the driver’s seat.

They have a knack for turning every conversation around to focus on them, their experiences, their achievements.

It might not be deliberate, but this behavior can leave others feeling unheard or unimportant.

If you find that your exchanges with this person are more about their monologues rather than dialogues, it’s a clear sign of their self-centred perspective.

This isn’t about occasional bouts of self-indulgence – we all have those. But if it’s a consistent pattern, it could be they’re in their own orbit and don’t even realize it.

2) They lack empathy

In my experiences, I’ve found that individuals who behave as if they are the center of the universe often struggle with empathy.

It’s not that they’re heartless, but their focus is so centered on themselves that it becomes hard for them to really understand or appreciate someone else’s feelings or perspective.

I remember an old friend of mine who could never truly step outside of her own shoes to see things from my point of view.

It felt as if my feelings were being dismissed or overlooked because they didn’t align with her perspective.

This lack of empathy, whether intentional or not, can be a telling sign of a person who unconsciously believes the world revolves around them.

3) They expect constant attention

I once worked with a colleague who always wanted to be the center of attention.

Meetings were a spectacle with him. He’d find ways to grab the spotlight, often interrupting others or dominating the conversation with his own ideas and stories.

Lunch breaks weren’t spared either. He’d commandeer the conversation, rarely allowing anyone else a chance to share their thoughts or experiences.

It was draining, and it felt as though he believed that his words, his stories were the only ones worth listening to.

This constant need for attention is another behavior often exhibited by those who act as if the world revolves around them, even if they may not realize it themselves.

4) They rarely admit they’re wrong

In their world, they’re always right.

In fact, people who constantly need to be right are often deeply insecure. They see being wrong as a personal affront, a threat to their sense of self.

I’ve seen this play out in real life too. An old roommate of mine would rather argue for hours than admit she was wrong about something trivial, like who left the dishes unwashed.

It wasn’t about the dishes, it was about her inability to accept being wrong. 

5) They’re not good at sharing

Sharing is a fundamental part of social interaction. It’s how we show that we value others and their experiences.

But for people who believe the world revolves around them, sharing doesn’t come naturally.

This inability or unwillingness to share, be it time, resources or even spotlight, is another behavior often displayed by those who act as if the world revolves around them.

6) They downplay others’ achievements

For people who consider themselves the center of the universe, acknowledging others’ successes can be a struggle.

While it might seem like harmless banter at first, this habit of belittling others’ achievements can be indicative of a person who thinks the world revolves around them.

It’s as if they believe that by acknowledging someone else’s success, they’re somehow diminishing their own worth.

7) They have a hard time showing gratitude

Gratitude is a simple way of acknowledging that we need others and appreciate their help.

However, for those who believe they are the center of their world, saying ‘thank you’ or expressing gratitude can be a real challenge.

I experienced this with a former boss. No matter how much extra effort the team put in, how many late nights we worked, he never once said thank you. It was as if he expected it, felt entitled to our hard work and dedication.

This lack of gratitude is often a telltale sign of someone who operates as if the world revolves solely around them.

8) They tend to be poor listeners

Listening is more than just hearing words. It’s about understanding, processing, and responding in a way that shows you value the other person’s perspective.

But for those who think the world revolves around them, truly listening to someone else can be a challenge.

This lack of active listening, this inability to give their undivided attention when others are speaking, is often a sign of someone who acts like the world revolves around them.

It’s as if their own thoughts and interests are the only ones worth paying attention to.

Final thoughts

Recognizing these behaviors in someone else is the first step. But what if you see some of these traits in yourself?

Don’t panic, it’s not a life sentence.

Being self-centered is often a defense mechanism, a way to protect ourselves from perceived threats or insecurities. But the beauty of life is that we’re capable of change and growth.

Start with awareness. Pay attention to how your actions may affect others. Are you giving them room to voice their opinions? Are you acknowledging their feelings and successes?

Try active listening – really focus on what others are saying, without thinking about your response while they’re still talking. Show gratitude more often, even for little things.

Most importantly, practice empathy. Understanding and sharing the feelings of others has been linked to increased relationship satisfaction and reduced stress.

Change takes time and patience, but it’s worth it.