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The Difference Between Pride, Self-Esteem, and Confidence: A Practical Guide


The Difference Between Pride, Self-Esteem, and Confidence: A Practical Guide



We’ve all been there. Caught in a moment of wondering, Am I being confident, or is this just pride? Or maybe you’ve hesitated before giving yourself credit, worrying it might seem boastful. It’s a fine balance, isn’t it?


Understanding the subtle differences between pride, self-esteem, and confidence can help us navigate these moments with grace and self-awareness.


Let’s break it down.


Pride: The Double-Edged Sword


Pride is a tricky one. On the one hand, it can be a positive sense of satisfaction in something you’ve achieved. Think of a parent beaming as their child performs on stage for the first time. That’s healthy pride, something to celebrate.


But, let’s be honest, pride also has its darker side. When it morphs into arrogance or blinds us to our faults, it can push people away. Like that one colleague who can’t stop reminding everyone how they single-handedly "saved the project" even though it was a team effort. Not so charming, is it?


Pride, when unchecked, makes us need validation. But in its healthier form, it’s just quietly recognising your wins. The key? Balance.


Self-Esteem: The Foundation Within


If pride is about achievements, self-esteem is about who you are, regardless of achievements. It’s that steady sense of self-worth that isn’t shaken by a bad day or a failure.


For example, imagine you botch a presentation. If you’ve got healthy self-esteem, you might think, Well, that didn’t go as planned, but I’m still capable and learning. If your self-esteem’s on shaky ground, it might spiral into,

I’m so useless, I’ll never get this right.


Building self-esteem is about treating yourself as kindly as you’d treat a good friend. It’s knowing that you’re enough—no trophies required.


Confidence: Action in Motion


Confidence is all about what you do. It’s the belief that you can handle something, even if it’s scary or uncertain. Think of it like this: self-esteem is believing you deserve to dance, but confidence is getting up on the floor and actually doing it (even if you’ve got two left feet).


The beauty of confidence is that it grows with practice. You might start shaky, but each small win builds the momentum. It’s the difference between saying, “I think I can,” and actually proving to yourself that you can.


How They Work Together


Here’s a simple analogy: imagine you’re preparing for a big presentation. Your self-esteem reminds you that, no matter how it goes, you’re still a valuable person. Your confidence gets you up there, slides ready and voice steady. And your pride kicks in after, letting you feel good about the effort you put in so long as it doesn’t veer into bragging territory at the team lunch!


Understanding these differences can help us approach life with clarity. When we feel balanced in our self-esteem, confidence, and pride, we become more grounded not relying on others to lift us up but appreciating their support all the same. After all, life’s better when we celebrate the wins and learn from the stumbles.


So, how will you strike your balance today?

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The Conscious Mind Psychotherapy by Lou is operated by a psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist in Singapore with a foundation in neuroscience, shaping her holistic approach to mental health. She integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and somatic awareness to address emotional pain stored in the body, which is particularly effective for anxiety and trauma. Additionally, she incorporates secular spirituality, mindfulness and hypnotherapy creating a transformative, compassionate space where clients can go beyond managing symptoms. Her goal is to support clients in building resilience, clarity, and self-connection, fostering lasting healing and a deeper sense of peace.

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