Laugh at yourself (healthily)

When I was younger, I couldn’t laugh at myself.

I would get offended whenever someone laughed or made fun of me. I used to take myself too seriously.

That changed when my dad got posted to a new country and we moved there.

I joined school in the middle of semester, immersed in a completely different schooling system and surrounded by people of all races and backgrounds.

Everyone around me engaged in self-deprecating humour. Whenever someone made fun of them, they would embrace it. I found it wild.

I started doing it too. I had a thick accent, wore boots to school and embraced it fully.

And guess what, it made me very comfortable and confident about who I was, and I didn’t bother changing myself for the benefit for other people, which is what I had typically done to fit in.

I’ve been reading more about this topic to see what science says about it.

The answer: it depends.

In most cases it is positive. But here are some signs where self-deprecation might be unhealthy:

• You can’t take a compliment —> shows you have low self-esteem

• Self-deprecation becomes a reflex —> it means it has almost become a belief

• You self-deprecate when alone too

Today’s prompts are around self-deprecation.

Today’s Prompts

1 - Resilience

How do you usually react when someone makes fun of you?

2 - Reflection

How can you make sure that your self-deprecation doesn’t undermine your self-esteem?

3 - Quote of the day

“Love who you are and what you are and what you do. Laugh at yourself and at life and nothing can touch you.” - Louise Hay

4 - The 'If you don’t have time’ Prompt

What is one thing you used to be insecure about but can now laugh at?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!