I think that works both ways, though, AND can be used in reverse. It's familarity with yourself, and how you view things as they once were - believing it's still prevalent today.
Back in the day, I was a fat, messy, ugly slob... During high school and prior. When I lost weight, and all these things - girls were showing interest constantly, but I still viewed myself as being that way. Didn't read any of the signals; was still unattractive and anti-social in my mind; girls just wanted to be friends; etc. And it became reality, because of how I acted - like an insecure, needy, overly friendly, painfully insecure nice guy.
Part of me knew girls were interested, but there was no confidence or assertiveness. That wasn't me... I was fat and unappealing. No one wanted to have sex with a fat slob... Thus, I rejected all sexual advances, and women in general. They didn't want to be more than friends, or get close to me. I don't attract women... Etc. As well, people didn't like me - as it was during school - - despite having tons of friends, making people laugh, being a social butterfly, etc.
Flash forward to when I started gaining weight again... Dressed like ****, never got a haircut or took care of myself, etc... I still viewed myself as being a stud / pretty boy who could attract women easily - because that's how it was at the time (even though at the time, I viewed myself as being fat.... Gah...) But I wasn't get any looks, no girls were flirting or wanting to talk for no reason, no sexual remarks, etc. I didn't realize the weight gain and slobbishness - just as the weight loss went unnoticed back then.
As well, I became an anti-social recluse, but still thought everyone liked me - even though, again, at the time, I thought no one did.
There's like a 50% delay between your mind and reality; past and present. Part of you KNOWS things are changing within you, and your surroundings, while the other half still views things as they once were, and keeps you stuck there. At the same time. Whatever. Confusing ****.
Just like people used to call me a nice guy, sweetheart, harmless, sensitive... That stuck with me... But now they're calling me an *******, uncaring, prideful, not nice at all, someone with no feelings, etc. Went through all those heartbreaks, dealings with *******s, getting bullied, etc, but didn't realize what I have become... I still have those views of being a nice guy, and the victim - literally as I'm being an *******.
Or moving to the rural south, but still living in the hostile northern city in my mind. Always expecting to be harassed, bullied, *******s everywhere, always on guard, not trusting anyone... Still playing those insults and remarks in my head, expecting to run into those people again... Etc. But it's not reality.
A lot of *****es and *****s are this way, as well. Getting burned by *******s, becoming *******s themselves, treating people like they are *******s - while still viewing themselves as the nice girl victims. Same thing. It's all in how they view themselves, as things were - not realizing that they changed, and things are a lot different now as a result of that.
This is why you don't sympathize with the damsel, put yourself in other people's shoes, take their side, believe what they claim about themselves, etc. How they view themselves is a lot different than how they actually are. Likewise for you...
So, yea... It's understandable, and normal - how those girls act now. Doesn't mean it's what they still are.
But I think realizing these kind of things can help you see the truth, and live in the present. Or maybe it's just maturity and knowledge. Whatever.
