I like making fun of myself but sometimes people have said that I am putting myself down and it is not healthy.

Comedians often use self-deprecating humour to make audiences laugh and relate to them. I find when I look at the funny side of my life, I am being confident and in control.

Many of the articles I have read see self-deprecation as all negative and even harmful. Below is a list of negative consequences that some believe come from self-deprecation.

I have written my own response underneath each statement.

You Cannot Take a Compliment

I think I can receive a compliment and choose what I want to share as a funny anecdote with others.

You Instinctively Downplay Yourself  

Maybe when I chose to downplay something because it is funny but not all the time

You Believe Promoting Yourself Will Make You Disagreeable

There is a time and place to promote oneself.

Your Self-Esteem Is Affected

My self-esteem is increased when people smile, laugh, or relate to one of my self-deprecating anecdotes.

You Begin to Feel Depressed and Anxious

I feel depressed when others criticise me not when I make light of myself.

To balance out self-deprecating behaviour, it is important to think and speak more positively about yourself. 

I do this already.

Moodscopers what would your response be to the above statements about self-deprecation? Is making fun of yourself all the time harmful to one’s esteem?

True story. My then husband used to say that I was the only woman he knew who had dozens of cookbooks but all I ever made him was sandwiches!! It was funny and true and telling, it does not affect my self esteem or have any other negative consequence.

So, is it a matter of balance in using humour about yourself while acknowledging your skills at other times? I look forward to your replies to opinions,  thoughts and experience.

Leah 

A Moodscope member