The Art of Accepting Compliments

When (and why) did I start putting myself down while others are trying to build me up?

I used to be a lot better at accepting compliments when I was young.

Back then, if someone told me I was smart funny, or that they liked my hair, I’d take it at face value, say thank you, and move on. Somewhere along the way, though, I started second guessing those moments. Maybe it was self-deprecation disguised as humility? Maybe it was just social conditioning. Maybe I didn’t believe what they were telling me anymore because I didn’t see those things in myself? As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed my confidence isn’t what it used to be. My self-esteem is just fine, but I have found myself questioning if I agree with what they’re telling me, and most of the time, I don’t. That’s a different newsletter for a different day.

Whatever the reason may be, I became the kind of person who, when faced with a kind word, found a way to swat it away like an annoying fly.

Case in point: The other day at the gym, our friend Matt told me my arms looked big. A normal person might have said, “Aw, thanks!”

Instead, without even thinking, I shrugged and said…