It’s a very common but self-defeating characteristic.
I’m speaking of the tendency of so many people to downplay their positive traits – which then leads giving a negative spin to something that is objectively good.
I’ve worked with women who, when asked what they do for work, say they are, “just a housewife” – despite that fact that this has been a choice made in a conscious and cooperative manner as a married couple in consideration of the best interests of family. Some of these women are doing such a great job that they would be certain nominees for the “Housewife’s Hall of Fame” if such a thing existed.
Similarly, I’ve known highly successful and well-respected individuals who, when asked about their education, say “just high school’ or “just a couple of semesters of college” – seemingly not recognizing that their educational and career attainments are part of a total package that should be a source of pride.
Take an inventory of your self-image. Are their things that you downplay because you don’t think they are important enough or that others may not regard you highly enough? So many things combine to make you the person that you are. Don’t take any of them for granted.
A goal of The Mental Health Gym is to make you the best You that you can be. I often emphasize how that involves the process of constantly improving, changing, and growing. But it also involves accepting and taking pride in who and where you are, what you’ve overcome, and what you’ve achieved so far.
Don’t take yourself for granted!
Ron Kaiser, Ph.D.