How They Hold You Back Without You Noticing: The Crab Mentality 🦀 Let’s talk about crab mentality—a sneaky and often invisible force that holds people back. What is the crab mentality? When people see you trying something new or succeeding, instead of supporting you, they criticize, mock, or devalue your efforts. Their goal? To stop you from moving forward so that you don’t outgrow them. Why? Jealousy and fear. This metaphor comes from crabs in a bucket—when one crab tries to escape, others pull it back down. In the end, none of them get out. Real-life examples: 1. Tech industry veterans telling beginners: “The market is oversaturated,” “Without five years of struggle, you’ll get nowhere.” Sometimes, this is a way to keep competition away. 2. People afraid to move abroad discouraging others: “No one needs you there,” “You’ll regret it,” “You’re betraying us.” 3. If you work hard on your career or business: “Money isn’t everything. When will you actually live?” “You’re like a robot—always working.” “You’re too ambitious and independent—men don’t like that” (for women). 4. If you start a blog or a YouTube channel: “Who cares about this?” “Blogging isn’t a real job. Real jobs are in factories or hospitals.” 5. If you finish a big project and share your achievement: “I could do that in an hour.” “What’s so special about it?” 6. Older generations to younger ones: “We worked for peanuts in the ’90s, and you want high salaries, remote work, and work-life balance? You’re asking for too much!” 7. General discouragement: “Are you sure you need this?” “Do you think you’re better than us?” “Business is risky.” “You’re too young/too old.” Over time, these comments become part of your own thoughts, filling you with doubt. And even without people saying anything, you might start believing them. So, what’s the solution? Avoiding negative people is the obvious answer (self-help books always mention the importance of your environment). But it's not always that simple: 1. It’s not always obvious. — If someone respected says “You shouldn’t move until you learn the language,” you might start doubting yourself (“They’re an expert, they must be right.”). — The smarter the person, the more convincing their arguments. They’ll hit you with 500 facts, calculations, and logic. 2. In some cultures and communities, standing out is risky. Being like everyone else is the norm, and anything different is seen as a threat. Even if times have changed, this mindset still lingers. 3. People don’t always mean harm. Often, they’re just projecting their own fears and doubts. But the effect is the same—it holds you back. My rules to fight it: 1. Awareness is the first step. Recognize these manipulations—including your own self-doubt. Journaling or talking to a psychologist can help you see things clearly. Remember, other people’s words often reflect their own fears, not reality. 2. Surround yourself with the right people. Limit contact with those who bring you down, and find those who support you. 3. Explore other cultures. Living abroad or learning about different mindsets helps you see things from a new perspective. You start realizing what’s not normal and develop immunity to societal pressure. 4. Follow your own path. Only you know what’s right for you. Listen to advice, but don’t let others control your life. Get stuck in their opinions—and you’ll stay in the bucket. If you like posts like this, let me know!🔥