Women who are exhausting to be around usually display these 8 behaviors (without realizing it)

Some behaviors can make interactions feel draining, even if the person displaying them doesn’t realize it.

Women who constantly shift conversations to themselves, seek endless validation or refuse to respect boundaries often leave others feeling exhausted.

These habits may not be intentional, but they create an imbalance in relationships that can be hard to sustain.

Recognizing these behaviors can help you understand why certain interactions leave you feeling worn out.

1) They constantly shift the conversation back to themselves

One of the most exhausting aspects of interacting with certain women is that they have a knack for turning any conversation into a monologue about themselves.

There’s a difference between sharing personal experiences and turning every moment into a spotlight on themselves. It’s as if they’re in an unending competition to outshine everyone else.

The heart of meaningful interaction lies in the ability to listen, empathize, and engage in mutual exchange.

But when you’re dealing with someone who constantly shifts the focus back to herself, it can feel like you’re trapped in a one-sided conversation.

This isn’t just tiresome; it robs the interaction of its depth and authenticity.

If you find yourself coming out of conversations feeling unheard and dismissed, then this could be a sign that you’re dealing with an individual who is exhausting to be around.

2) They have a tendency to one-up every story

Flowing from the habit of always shifting the conversation back to themselves, another draining behavior is their constant need to one-up your experiences or stories.

Say, for instance, you’re sharing about a challenging project you recently completed at work, and before you’ve even finished your tale, they’re already chiming in with how they’ve handled an even bigger project in record time.

I remember once when I was backpacking across Europe and met a woman in a hostel.

We got chatting and I started to share this magical moment when I saw the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Before I could finish my story, she had already launched into her own tale of how she not only saw the Northern Lights but also managed to photograph them with professional precision.

This kind of behavior can be incredibly draining.

It doesn’t just rob you of the joy of sharing your experiences; it also makes you feel like you’re constantly in a competition that you didn’t sign up for.

3) They constantly play the victim

How do you feel when you’re dealing with someone who constantly changes the game by playing the victim card?

This kind of behavior can be particularly draining. It’s like being in a never-ending drama where they’re always the victim, and life is the big bad wolf out to get them.

A classic example is when they are confronted with a mistake they’ve made.

Instead of owning up and working towards a solution, they spin a web of excuses, painting themselves as the hapless victim of circumstances beyond their control.

This constant evasion of responsibility not only makes interactions with them exhausting but also makes it challenging to build any form of meaningful relationship.

After all, how do you trust someone who’s never at fault, even when they clearly are?

4) They display a constant need for validation

Did you know that according to psychology, people who constantly seek validation are often insecure about their self-worth?

This insecurity manifests itself in a constant need for approval and affirmation from others.

This kind of behavior can be incredibly draining to be around.

It’s as if you’re dealing with an emotional vampire, constantly sucking the energy out of you with their incessant need for validation.

Imagine being friends with someone who constantly needs you to affirm their choices, their appearance, their life decisions.

Every conversation becomes a quest for approval, and every interaction is a reassurance that they are okay.

In a nutshell, it’s like being on constant high alert, trying to ensure they don’t spiral into a pit of self-doubt and insecurity.

But at the end of the day, it’s a burden that shouldn’t be yours to carry.

5) They refuse to respect your boundaries

Following on from the constant need for validation, another draining behavior is their inability to respect personal boundaries.

Respecting boundaries is a fundamental aspect of any healthy interaction or relationship.

It’s about understanding and acknowledging that each person has their personal space—emotionally, physically, and mentally.

But dealing with women who don’t respect these boundaries can feel like being in a boxing ring with no ropes.

They constantly overstep, disregarding your comfort and personal space in their pursuit of their own needs or desires.

Whether it’s calling you at odd hours, showing up uninvited, or even prying into personal matters that you’re uncomfortable discussing, this blatant disregard for your boundaries can be exceedingly tiring.

Ultimately, it’s not just about feeling invaded; it’s about feeling disrespected. 

6) They are consistently negative

Building onto the aspect of respecting boundaries, another behavior that can be incredibly exhausting is consistent negativity.

We all have bad days, and it’s absolutely normal to vent, to feel down, or to be pessimistic at times.

But when you’re dealing with someone who seems to dwell in a perpetual state of negativity, it can be incredibly draining.

Think about those interactions where every silver lining is met with a darker cloud, where every bit of good news somehow spirals into a doom-and-gloom scenario.

This persistent pessimism can suck the joy out of any interaction and leave you feeling emotionally depleted.

Negativity can be contagious and being around it constantly can impact your own outlook and mental health. 

7) They are overly critical

Another behavior that naturally flows from the constant negativity is being overly critical.

An overly critical person doesn’t just see the glass half-empty; they question why the glass isn’t full, why it’s a glass and not a mug, or why the water isn’t chilled to their liking.

Interacting with women who are overly critical can feel like walking on eggshells.

Every word you say, every action you take is under a microscope, ready to be dissected and critiqued.

If you’ve ever felt belittled, judged, or constantly found wanting after your interactions with them, then you’re dealing with an overly critical person.

This kind of behavior can be particularly draining as it slowly chips away at your self-esteem and happiness, turning even the most joyous moments into sources of stress and anxiety.

8) They lack empathy

The final, and perhaps the most crucial behavior that makes a person exhausting to be around, is a lack of empathy.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

It’s a key ingredient in forming meaningful and fulfilling relationships. But when you’re dealing with someone who lacks this essential quality, interactions can feel hollow and one-sided.

A woman who lacks empathy won’t be able to put herself in your shoes or try to understand your perspective.

Your feelings, your experiences, your struggles—they all become secondary to her own.

It’s like being in a conversation where you’re talking in color, but all she sees is black and white.

This lack of emotional understanding can be incredibly draining, as it leaves you feeling unheard, unvalued, and alone.

Moving forward

Being around someone who displays these exhausting behaviors can take a toll on your energy and well-being.

Constant negativity, lack of empathy, and a refusal to respect boundaries can make maintaining these relationships feel like hard work.

It’s important to recognize when these patterns become too draining and to protect your own emotional space.

Surrounding yourself with balanced, respectful relationships is key to preserving your mental and emotional health.