“What’s Your Biggest Flex?”: 55 People Get Candid About Their Proudest Moments In Life

Let’s further break down the differences between healthy pride and arrogance, this time with some expert insights. According to retired clinical psychologist Dr. Leon Seltzer, one crucial contrast is that the former is about self-confidence that reflects an “intrinsically motivating ‘can-do’ attitude. 

Meanwhile, the latter requires proving oneself, which fuels the drive for success.

If you read through the stories on this list, you will notice the air of humility in the people who posted them. According to Dr. Seltzer, healthy pride is often expressed assertively yet conveyed implicitly. 

In contrast, unhealthy pride is an aggressive declaration of personal superiority that takes the form of looking down on others.

We can also call healthy pride authentic pride, which neuroscientist Dr. Jack Lewis defines as a quiet satisfaction from a job well done, typically when we’re practicing a craft. 

In these moments, authentic pride may also fuel a desire for continuous learning and a willingness to seek criticism to improve.

Speaking of self-improvement, Dr. Lewis also points out that authentic pride manifests when a person takes pleasure in learning a new skill. The individual also focuses on gradual progress rather than comparing themselves to another person’s journey.

So how do you cultivate authentic pride? Dr. Lewis shared a few tips, including focusing on the process instead of the outcome, embracing challenges, practicing self-compassion, and seeking intrinsic motivation. 

“Celebrate your accomplishments when they arise, rather than just pushing on with the next task, and be kind to yourself in the meantime,” he wrote.