You’ve seen the filters. You’ve heard the Billie Eilish song. Maybe you’ve even caught yourself looking in the mirror on a Tuesday morning—hair messy, coffee cold—and thought, honestly, i should wear a crown. It sounds like a joke or a bit of harmless narcissism. But if you look at the history of human status and the way our brains process symbols, it’s actually a fascinating deep dive into how we perceive our own worth.
Most people think of crowns as heavy, gold-encrusted relics locked behind glass in the Tower of London. They think of Queen Elizabeth II or the flashy coronations of the past. But the urge to "wear the crown" isn't really about the jewelry. It’s about the psychological shift that happens when you decide you're the protagonist of your own life. It is about authority. It’s about standing tall.
The Mental Shift: Why i should wear a crown for Confidence
Have you ever heard of "enclothed cognition"? It’s a term coined by researchers Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky. Basically, what you wear changes how you think. In their famous 2012 study, people performed better on attention-related tasks when they wore a white lab coat they thought belonged to a doctor, compared to those wearing everyday clothes.
If a lab coat makes you smarter, what does a crown do?
Even a metaphorical one changes your posture. You stop slouching. You start making eye contact. When someone says i should wear a crown, they are subconsciously tapping into a desire for "sovereignty" over their own choices. In a world where we are constantly told what to do by bosses, algorithms, and social expectations, declaring yourself "royal" is a radical act of self-ownership.
Think about the "main character energy" trend on TikTok. It’s the same vibe. People are tired of being the sidekick in someone else's story. They want the crown because the crown means you are the one making the rules. It’s kind of a mental armor against the chaos of the modern world.
History Doesn't Lie: Crowns Weren't Just for Show
Historically, the crown served a functional purpose beyond just looking expensive. It was a visual shorthand. Before we had ID cards or LinkedIn profiles, you needed a way to show who was in charge from across a crowded battlefield or a massive cathedral.
🔗 Read more: God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: The True Story Behind the Phrase Most People Get Wrong
- Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs used the pschent, a double crown representing both Upper and Lower Egypt. It wasn't just a hat; it was a political statement of unity.
- In the Roman Empire, they started with simple laurel wreaths—symbols of victory. It wasn't about gold; it was about the achievement.
- The European Middle Ages turned crowns into "closed" hoops to signify that the monarch had no superior other than God.
When you feel like i should wear a crown, you're tapping into thousands of years of human signaling. We are hardwired to recognize these symbols. But here is the kicker: in the 21st century, the "divine right of kings" has been replaced by the "divine right of the individual." We are all our own little kingdoms now. We manage our own brands, our own finances, and our own mental health. It’s a lot of pressure. No wonder we want the headgear to match the responsibility.
The "Crown" as a Boundary Tool
Let's get real for a second. Life is noisy. Everyone wants a piece of your time. Your phone is buzzing with notifications, your inbox is a disaster, and your family probably needs something from you right now.
Saying "i should wear a crown" is a way of setting a boundary.
A crown creates a "buffer zone." Historically, you didn't just walk up and poke a king. There was protocol. There was distance. In a modern lifestyle context, "wearing a crown" means recognizing that your time and energy are valuable. It’s the opposite of being a people-pleaser. If you’re the ruler of your own life, you get to decide who gets an audience and who gets sent to the metaphorical dungeon.
Why We Romanticize the Royal Aesthetic
There’s a reason "Royalty Core" is a massive aesthetic on Pinterest and Tumblr. We are obsessed with the velvet, the gold, and the sheer unapologetic weight of it all. But it’s not just about the "blink-blink."
It’s about the permanence.
💡 You might also like: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
Everything today feels disposable. Fast fashion, disappearing "Stories," gig-economy jobs. A crown represents something that lasts. It’s made of precious metals that don't rust. When you think i should wear a crown, you might actually be craving stability. You’re looking for a version of yourself that isn't swayed by every passing trend or every mean comment on the internet.
The crown is a heavy symbol. It requires a strong neck. It requires poise. If you can’t hold your head up, the crown falls off. So, the desire to wear one is actually a desire to become the kind of person who can carry that weight.
Practical Ways to "Wear the Crown" Without Being Weird
You probably shouldn't walk into a Starbucks wearing a 10-pound replica of the St. Edward’s Crown. People will stare, and not in the "wow, look at that majestic leader" kind of way. But you can absolutely integrate the "i should wear a crown" philosophy into your daily life through small, high-impact habits.
Master Your Posture
This is the most literal way to wear an invisible crown. Imagine a string pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling. When your ears are aligned with your shoulders, your brain actually produces more testosterone and less cortisol (the stress hormone). This is the "power posing" concept popularized by Amy Cuddy. It works.
Audit Your "Inner Circle"
A monarch is only as good as their advisors. If you're surrounded by people who drain your energy or talk down to you, your "kingdom" is going to crumble. Start treating your social circle like a royal court. Who deserves to be there? Who is just a court jester making noise?
Invest in "Quality Over Quantity"
Stop buying things that break in three weeks. Whether it’s a coat, a laptop, or a pair of shoes, choose items that feel like they belong in a palace. This doesn't mean spending money you don't have. It means being intentional. One "regal" item is better than ten pieces of junk.
📖 Related: Green Emerald Day Massage: Why Your Body Actually Needs This Specific Therapy
Command Your Time
Stop saying "yes" to things because you feel guilty. A person who wears a crown doesn't ask for permission to manage their schedule. They announce their availability. It’s a subtle shift in language that changes how people treat you.
The Shadow Side: When the Crown Becomes a Burden
We have to talk about the downsides. There is a fine line between healthy self-worth and becoming a total nightmare to be around.
In psychology, there’s a concept called "unmitigated agency." This is when you focus so much on your own power and goals that you lose your connection to others. If you take the i should wear a crown mantra too literally, you risk isolation. Real leaders—the ones worth following—don't just sit on a throne; they serve their "subjects" (which, in your life, are your goals, your family, and your community).
Even the British Royal Family refers to their role as "The Firm." It’s a job. It’s a service. If you want the crown, you have to be willing to do the work that comes with it. You can't just demand respect; you have to command it through your actions.
Actionable Steps to Claim Your Sovereignty
If you’re feeling like you’ve lost your spark, here is how you get your crown back. Don't just read this and move on. Do something.
- Define your "Kingdom": What are the three things in your life that you are 100% responsible for? Is it your health? Your career? Your creative hobby? Write them down. These are the areas where your word is law.
- Create a "Royal" Ritual: Every morning, spend five minutes in total silence. No phone. No music. Just you. This is your "throne room" time. It grounds you before the world starts making demands.
- Clean Up Your Language: Stop using diminishing words like "just," "sorry," or "I think maybe." Instead of saying, "I just wanted to check in," say, "I am checking in." It’s a small change, but it sounds much more authoritative.
- Dress for the Role: You don't need a cape. But find one item—a watch, a ring, a specific scarf—that represents your "crown." When you put it on, it’s a physical trigger to step into your most confident self.
Honestly, the world is always going to try to knock you down a peg. There will always be someone ready to tell you why you’re not good enough or why you should stay in your lane. The "i should wear a crown" mindset is your defense mechanism. It’s a reminder that you are the ultimate authority on your own value.
So, stand up straight. Fix your posture. Take a deep breath.
You don't need anyone's permission to be the ruler of your own life. The crown has been there the whole time; you just had to be brave enough to put it on. Now, go out there and act like it. Your kingdom is waiting.