How to take back our lives in a world filled with narcissism, the demand for special treatment, and toxic relationships. The phrase 'Do you know who I am?' is a life stance of the famous and notorious, who believe that the world 'owes them'. It is the syndrome of the modern narcissist.

Health and wellness campaigns urge us to avoid unhealthy foods, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, alcohol, and drugs, but rarely do they warn us to protect ourselves from unhealthy, difficult, and toxic people. Yet, removing toxic individuals from our lives can benefit our physical and mental health far more.

We need to learn to better safeguard our mind, body, and soul. Narcissism, the demand for special treatment and privileges, and rudeness have become the new norm. Not only are they perceived as normal, but they are also promoted as examples to follow.

These traits are expressions of a pathological insecurity, experienced both on an individual and societal level. The paradox is that we value these standards. We glorify them on social media and in the news, as well as within consumerism, and we often encounter them in politicians, executives, academics, and journalists.

Few lives remain untouched by narcissism. These relationships 'infect' us with doubt, despair, confusion, anxiety, depression, and a chronic sense of inadequacy, making us vulnerable and weak, and it becomes very difficult to distance ourselves or set boundaries for our protection.

The illusions created by the hope that things will improve lead us to waste precious years giving second chances and feeling desperate because the change we expect never comes. It is time for action; it is time to counter the wave of narcissism, toxicity, and competition and take back our lives.