Why aren’t we proud of ourselves?

When did it become unacceptable to praise ourselves for a job well done?

When did we remove ourselves from the hard work, dedication, and ambition that is required to succeed?

I hear people give thanks to their gods, their parents, their friends, producers, backup singers, accounting team but never, ever to themselves. Social media forbid we thank yourselves!

Of course, the people who helped you achieve great things deserve thanks but not exclusively and not at the cost of your self-worth.

As a society, we have systematically punished self-aware people for doing great work and applauding themselves (without arrogance or ego).

If I am not my biggest fan then who will be?

If I am not aware of the work that I put in to achieve great things then who will be?

If I don’t praise myself for the effort I put in then who will?

There are people who are oblivious to the world around them and give themselves props for achieving absolutely nothing but there are also humble, hard-working, gifted, dedicated and resilient people who deserve to openly praise themselves for their commitment and success but never do.

They never speak up because they are fearful of what others will do and say.

Let’s start off quietly and thank and praise ourselves in the car on the way to work.

Let’s praise ourselves while we are in the shower or making dinner.

Then let’s work our way up to say how proud we are of ourselves in front of our loved ones and friends. Eventually, the world will be comfortable when a musician stands up and receives a grammy award and thanks themselves for their perseverance, resilience, hard work and not only their gods for the success they have achieved.