I'm vicarious.

[englishhobby]

I heard this from an American trainer in psychology. I didn't know the meaning of the word. But when she explained it to us (me and the trainees at the seminar), I was puzzled:-?, because we don't have such a concept in my language. I read the definition of this word in dictionaries, still it's not completely clear to me and I can't imagine myself using this word (though I'd like to, since this word is used by native speakers).
Heres the link to the definition of "vicarious".
Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Could you please give me some examples of use of this word? In what context would you personally use it?

 

[SoothingDave]

I can't imagine a situation where you would say "I'm vicarious."

One can live vicariously through another, like the dad who relives his past glory through his son's sports achievement. Or the "stage mother" who seeks fame through a child actor.

 

[englishhobby]

Is it close to "vanity" or "pride" then (in some cases)? In your examples "to live vicariously" can be substituted by "to feel proud of", can't it?

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, it is close to vanity in some cases. But one can be vain without acting vicariously.

Vicarious | Define Vicarious at Dictionary.com

See definition 3. felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others

 

[bhaisahab]

It's not possible to be vicarious. As SoothingDave said, we can live vicariously.

 

[SoothingDave]

In your examples "to live vicariously" can be substituted by "to feel proud of", can't it?

Not if you want to keep the same meaning.

 

[emsr2d2]

When I moved to Spain, I decided to write a blog about my adventures there. Many of my friends said that they were living vicariously through me when they read my blog. They were not in a position to move to a foreign country and have an adventure of their own but, by reading about my life there, they almost felt they were living it themselves and it made them happy. They were taking pleasure in my adventures, sometimes almost putting themselves in my shoes and reading the blog as if they were living there themselves.