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“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
Oscar Wilde
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Self deprecation is the act of belittling or undervaluing oneself. It can be used in humour and tension release.
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We love a self deprecating sense of humour. Are you the self deprecating type? The person who gets the dig into yourself before someone else can? We have all done it before.
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Thoughts, words, actions, character – they are all connected. What you think and what you say matters, especially in regard to yourself. Every time you affirm something with words, it gains power. Continually putting yourself down about the way you look, what you do and where you come from reinforces negative beliefs. Those beliefs shape how you see yourself and how others see you as well. Even in attempts to be funny, more relatable or relaxed, self deprecation can be a slippery slope.
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There are some situations where self deprecating humour can win people over, being perceived as charming, when in TV dramas it helps the girl get the boy! However, in real life, it is damaging and limits our beliefs in our abilities.
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Does it really make you feel better when you put yourself down? Is it because you often do it? Because it is true isn’t a good answer. Think deeper than that. It is hard to come up with a reason why. Before you do this next time, stop and think of two good things about yourself.
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“I am dim” First, do you really think like that? Do you feel like that because someone told you? What were their reasoning behind it? Are you going to let someone have that power over you?
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Is it possible to get better if you put yourself down? You need to like yourself. By liking yourself, you become more positive and then you will attract positive people. When you are able to love yourself and all your flaws, that is when things in your life will start to fall into place.
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Today watch your humorous habits and see how often you lean towards self deprecation. Look a bit deeper to try and uncover what underlying feelings and beliefs may be masked by “humour.” Choose to change the way you speak about yourself. Use only positive words and statements, whether it is in front of other people or alone….. This will move you from self injury to self love.
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“After years of self deprecating behavior, I’ve never learned how to properly take a compliment. A part of me wants to argue with him, to tell him there’s nothing special about me.”
Brynna Gabrielson
appliedalliance 