Daring to Be Proud of Yourself

Daring to Be Proud of Yourself

I’ve often reflected on the Swedish concept of Jantelagen – the idea that we shouldn’t openly say we’re good at something or be proud of our achievements. I’ve never been fond of this mindset. It’s a shame that pride is so often associated with bragging or a lack of humility.

Through life and my work as a holistic health coach, I’ve learned the importance of standing up for yourself and acknowledging what you’ve created. Feeling proud of your progress and personal growth isn’t about being better than anyone else – it’s about recognizing your own journey and the effort you’ve put in. We need more of that pride in society. Celebrating yourself doesn’t diminish others – it can actually inspire them to do the same.

Throughout my children’s lives, I’ve asked them a simple question: “Do you like yourself? Do you think you’re good?” When they were small, they would always answer, “Yes!” But now that they’re older, a new thought has crept in: “Mom, you can’t really say that, it’s not very humble.”

It makes me wonder – why is it considered unhumble to like yourself? Shouldn’t we be allowed to feel proud of ourselves and our achievements? What happens to us if we constantly hold back that feeling?

If we don’t like ourselves or feel proud of what we accomplish, it affects us deeply – both mentally and physically. Suppressing our self-appreciation and downplaying our successes can lead to feelings of inadequacy. We might start doubting our own worth and compare ourselves to others in ways that are harmful, always noticing what we lack instead of what we have.

Self-love and pride aren’t just nice words – they are essential for our well-being. Minimizing ourselves can lead to low self-esteem, which in turn can increase stress, anxiety, and the sense that we’re never enough. When we don’t acknowledge our achievements or our self-worth, we may unconsciously start seeking validation from others instead of finding it within ourselves.

Saying, “I am proud of myself,” doesn’t mean we see ourselves as better than anyone else. It means we respect ourselves and the work we’ve done. When we hold back our pride, we limit our own potential and make it harder to feel motivated and inspired.

We also influence those around us. Our children, friends, and colleagues notice how we view ourselves. By showing that it’s okay to be proud, we create a culture where more people feel safe to acknowledge themselves – and each other. Pride doesn’t have to be about boasting. It can be a quiet, inner certainty that we are valuable just as we are.

So what if we looked at ourselves with the same kindness and appreciation that we give to those we love? Perhaps we’d feel freer, stronger, and more alive. Perhaps we’d inspire others to do the same.

I’ve poured time, effort, and heart into creating the life I live today, and I know how important it is to acknowledge that.

We need to dare to be proud of ourselves. So here it is – I am proud. Proud of who I am, proud of doing my best as a parent, proud of what I can do and what I’ve learned. And most of all – I am incredibly proud of my children.