For the record, this is not an article on how to conquer self-pity since the only person who can conquer self-pity is one self. Of course, the only way you can truly conquer self-pity is to confront it and deal with the issues responsible for making you feel sorry for yourself.

Many articles claim that the seeds of self-pity are sewn in our own self-doubt. I personally believe this may be one way to start pitying yourself but I don't believe it's the only factor. In fact I believe it's entirely possible to be a very secure individual and fall into a pattern of self-pity due to circumstances beyond your control. An article posted at personal development.com has some examples of things you can do to "crawl from the mire of self-pity".

Quoted directly from the article

1. Rather than run from the pain that's troubling you, face it and use it as a catalyst for change. Use your misery as motivation for self-improvement. Find out what you are doing wrong and correct your behavior. Become angry at your own self-defeating actions and do something about it. Yes, it's as simple as that. Although it's simple, change does involve more pain (no pain, no gain) because of the effort you have to make. But this type of pain is to be welcomed, for it will dissolve your misery and restore your happiness.
2. Don't add to your suffering by comparing yourself to others. Life is not a competition; it is a garden. Every flower (person) is different but beautiful in it's own way.

Confronting self-pity at personal-development.com

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