villain era

Meaning

'Villain era' refers to a phase in someone's life where they stop trying to please everyone, start prioritizing their own needs, and establish firm boundaries, even if others view them as selfish or 'the bad guy.' It is used humorously to describe self-empowerment and rejecting people-pleasing habits.

Examples

• I'm in my villain era now, so I'm not saying yes to extra weekend shifts anymore.

  I'm in my villain era now, so I'm not saying yes to extra weekend shifts anymore.

• She entered her villain era after her breakup and started focusing entirely on herself.

  She entered her villain era after her breakup and started focusing entirely on herself.

• Saying no without explaining myself is a major part of my villain era.

  Saying no without explaining myself is a major part of my villain era.

• Is it my villain era if I block my toxic ex on everything?

  Is it my villain era if I block my toxic ex on everything?

• He’s in his villain era, refusing to help people who never help him back.

  He’s in his villain era, refusing to help people who never help him back.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is a villain era because he stole my pen.

  ✓ He is in his villain era because he finally stood up to his boss.

  'Villain era' does not mean actually being an evil person or doing bad things; it refers to a personal phase of setting boundaries and stopping people-pleasing.

• ✗ I am having a villain era.

  ✓ I am in my villain era.

  The standard prepositional phrase used with this expression is 'to be in one's villain era' or 'to enter one's villain era.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'm finally putting myself first and saying no to toxic friends; I've officially entered my ___.

  💡 A phase of prioritizing yourself over pleasing others

  Show answer

  villain era

• She is in her ___ and refuses to apologize for being successful.

  💡 Two words, reclaiming your personal power

  Show answer

  villain era