Pride. When was the last time you felt proud of yourself? Egotistical. When was the last time you put yourself first above the needs of others?

What if you weren’t being egotistical at all, yet still felt proud? Sometimes, feeling proud of our accomplishments may feel like we are too big for our boots. Of course, we don’t want to make others think that we are too full of ourselves. But is it wrong to have a sense of pride? Is it even considered bad to have a big ego?

People often think that ego and pride are one and the same. Both words may appear to be closely related to being arrogant, cocky, and conceited for many of us. While there are subtle similarities between the two, ego and pride are two different concepts. Continue reading →

In Greek mythology, Narcissus was the son of a God who fell in love with his own reflection. In modern psychology, his name has been used to describe people who have extreme self-confidence, an inflated sense of self, and a person who always puts themselves first before anyone else. In short, a narcissist.

The word narcissist has been used to label many people. For example, anyone who displays traits associated with being incredibly confident and arrogant is quickly labeled a narcissist.

But what does narcissism really mean? Narcissism is classified as a psychological disorder with clear and well-defined guidelines and parameters used by clinicians. It is characterized by one’s exaggerated sense of self-importance, need for constant attention and admiration from others, and the inability to recognize the needs of others. Continue reading →