People who blame the world for their problems often use these 8 toxic excuses

Some people take responsibility for their lives, while others always seem to have an excuse.

I’ve noticed that those who blame the world for their problems tend to repeat the same toxic phrases over and over.

Instead of looking for solutions, they point fingers—at their circumstances, other people, or just “bad luck.”

The truth is, this mindset keeps them stuck. Excuses may feel comforting in the moment, but they only hold us back from real growth and success.

If you’ve ever caught yourself or someone else using these common excuses, it might be time for a mindset shift. Here are eight toxic excuses that keep people from moving forward.

1) I can’t because…

This is one of the most common excuses people use when they don’t want to take responsibility for their situation.

“I can’t start a business because the economy is bad.”

“I can’t get in shape because I have a slow metabolism.”

“I can’t be successful because I wasn’t given the same opportunities as others.”

While challenges are real, saying “I can’t because…” often becomes a way to avoid trying at all. It shifts the blame onto external factors instead of looking for solutions.

Successful people face obstacles too, but instead of saying “I can’t,” they ask “How can I?” That small shift in mindset makes all the difference.

2) It’s not my fault

I used to tell myself this all the time.

Years ago, I was stuck in a job I hated. I felt underpaid, undervalued, and completely drained. And instead of doing something about it, I blamed everything but myself.

“It’s not my fault the job market is terrible.”

“It’s not my fault my boss doesn’t appreciate me.”

“It’s not my fault I don’t have the right connections to move up.”

Looking back, I can see how that mindset kept me stuck. As long as I believed it wasn’t my fault, I didn’t have to take action. But the moment I started asking, “What can I do to change this?”—that’s when everything shifted.

Blaming others might feel good for a moment, but it won’t move you forward. Taking responsibility, even when things aren’t entirely in your control, is the only way to create real change.

3) Life is unfair

People who blame the world for their problems love to say this—as if fairness is something life is supposed to guarantee.

But fairness is a human concept, not a law of nature. In fact, studies have shown that our sense of fairness is deeply ingrained, even in young children.

Researchers found that kids as young as three years old will protest when they see someone getting more than their fair share of something.

That instinct might help us in social situations, but when it comes to life as a whole, expecting fairness is a recipe for disappointment.

Some people start with more advantages than others. Some face hardships they never deserved. That’s reality.

The difference between those who succeed and those who stay stuck isn’t whether life is fair to them—it’s what they do with the hand they’re dealt.

4) I don’t have time

This excuse is easy to believe because it feels true. Life is busy, responsibilities pile up, and there never seem to be enough hours in the day.

But the reality is, we all have the same 24 hours. The difference is in how we choose to spend them.

Think about it—people who are busier than you still find time to exercise, start businesses, learn new skills, or build meaningful relationships. It’s not that they have extra hours; they just prioritize differently.

Saying “I don’t have time” often means “It’s not a priority for me.” And that’s okay—but being honest about it gives you control.

Instead of blaming time, take a closer look at your choices. You might have more control over your schedule than you think.

5) Nothing ever goes my way

It’s painful to feel like no matter how hard you try, things just don’t work out. When disappointment after disappointment piles up, it’s easy to start believing that life is working against you.

But this kind of thinking is a trap. The more you tell yourself that “nothing ever goes your way”, the more you start looking for proof that it’s true—while ignoring the moments when things do work out.

Everyone faces setbacks. Everyone has days where nothing seems to go right. But there are also moments of progress, kindness, and unexpected opportunities.

When we stop focusing only on what’s wrong, we start seeing possibilities again.

Life isn’t always fair, and it isn’t always easy. But believing that you’re doomed to fail will only guarantee that you stay stuck.

6) I’m just not lucky

It’s frustrating to watch other people succeed while you feel stuck, especially when it seems like they had all the right opportunities handed to them.

But luck is rarely the full story. The people who seem “lucky” often took risks, put in effort when no one was watching, and kept going even when things weren’t working.

There was a time when it felt like nothing was working out—like no matter how hard I tried, I was always a step behind.

It was easier to believe that I just wasn’t lucky than to admit that I was holding myself back by waiting for the perfect opportunity instead of creating one.

Some people do start with more advantages, but dwelling on that doesn’t change anything. What does? Taking action, even when the odds don’t seem to be in your favor.

Because the more you put yourself out there, the “luckier” you become.

7) People like me can’t succeed

This is one of the most damaging beliefs a person can have.

Whether it’s because of background, upbringing, past mistakes, or circumstances beyond their control, some people convince themselves that success is only for other people—not them.

But history is full of people who defied the odds. There are countless stories of individuals who started with nothing, faced rejection after rejection, or were told they would never make it—only to prove everyone wrong.

The moment you believe success isn’t possible for you, you stop trying. And when you stop trying, you guarantee failure. The truth is, no one gets to decide your limits except you.

8) That’s just the way I am

This excuse shuts down all possibility of growth.

It’s a way of saying, “I don’t have to change because this is who I’ve always been.”

But who you are is not set in stone. People grow, adapt, and evolve all the time—if they choose to.

The most successful people aren’t the ones who were born with all the right qualities. They’re the ones who recognized their weaknesses and worked on them.

Saying “That’s just the way I am” is a way to avoid the discomfort of change. But staying the same when life is asking you to grow will only keep you stuck.

Bottom line: Excuses keep you stuck

The human brain is wired to protect us from discomfort, and sometimes, that means convincing ourselves that we have no control over our situation.

Psychologists call this “learned helplessness“—a state where people stop trying to improve their circumstances because they’ve convinced themselves that nothing will change.

This mindset doesn’t just limit success; it can impact mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression.

But the truth is, the way we think shapes our reality. When we replace excuses with action, even in small ways, we start to shift what’s possible for us.

The people who break free from toxic excuses aren’t necessarily the smartest or the luckiest—they’re the ones who refuse to let their circumstances define them.

The question is: what would happen if you did the same?