Pride: 5 Ways to Get Rid of Pride

Introduction. Pride is one of those concepts that in the popular consciousness has acquired an almost sacred meaning: someone confuses it with ordinary pride, and someone considers the main “sin” that destroys relationships and self-esteem. What is the real nature of pride? How is it dangerous and does it really interfere with mental well-being and harmony in society? More importantly, what practical steps can you take to get rid of, or at least minimize, that feeling?

In this article, we will examine what psychologists and spiritual teachings understand by pride, why it is not the same as healthy self-confidence, and what specific techniques – from simple introspection to deeper techniques – can be used to “put your ego in its place.” We will not be rigidly attached to any dates or religious events, so that the material remains relevant for a wide range of people who want to grow and strengthen their relationships with others. Drawing on scientific evidence (e.g., the APA, the American Psychological Association) and centuries of experience in spiritual traditions, here are five ways to deal with pride.



What is pride and why is it dangerous?
First of all, pride It’s not just pride or adequate self-esteem. It is a state where a person places himself above others so much that he does not see their contribution or their individuality. A proud person may think that he is “all owed”, that he is “infallible” and “always right”. From a psychological point of view, pride reflects the “painful inflating of the ego”, which sometimes begins to “eat” the person from the inside: he becomes less flexible, loses empathy and confidence if something does not go according to his plan.

The danger is that pride often rests on the “blind zones”: he does not notice his own mistakes, does not know how to ask for forgiveness, and just listen to criticism. In society, this affects the fact that such a person can destroy relationships, cause a conflicting atmosphere in the team, and himself suffer from loneliness (after all, arrogance repels). From a religious point of view, pride is interpreted as the root of many sins, because it puts a person “above” even his own conscience.




5 Ways to Get Rid of Pride

1. Recognizing and Accepting Criticism
The first step to overcoming pride is recognizing that other people have a right to judge us, sometimes negatively, and we may be wrong. This is not easy for the “bred” ego, but it is in criticism (especially constructive) that we find a “mirror” that gives us a chance to grow.

• Simple practice: Try noticing every situation when someone points out your mistake. Instead of automatic defense ("no, I'm right"), say to yourself, "Maybe there's some truth to that." I will listen and think about what can be improved.”
• Benefits: So you stop seeing the comments as an attack on the person, and you see them as a "hint" for development.

2. The "look from the side" exercise
Pride often locks us in a narrow vision: “I am the center of the world, my point of view is the only correct one.” In order to detach ourselves from this, it is helpful to regularly train a “metaposition” where we “step out” of our own personality and look at ourselves and the situation from a neutral perspective.

• How to do this: Imagine that you are an outside observer looking at a scene involving “you” and others. Try to see what your behavior looks like, whether it is justified. This can be done in writing (keep an observer's diary).
• Result: Understanding that your reaction may be excessive or unfair, and emotions are just part of the larger context. Pride goes away when you see your position not absolute.

3. Practicing humility and gratitude
Humility (not to be confused with humiliation) is the realization that we are not all-powerful and can learn from others. Why should I be perfect if the world is a place for mutual exchange? In order to develop this quality, you can introduce gratitude. When we notice how much we owe the help of loved ones, friends, colleagues, we weaken the idea of “I did everything myself, nobody is needed.”

• Council: Keep a gratitude diary: 2-3 times a week write down to whom and for what you are sincerely grateful. This teaches us to “couple” pride and open to accepting support.
• Psychological effect: Research (APA) confirms that regular practice of gratitude reduces self-centeredness and increases life satisfaction.

4. Contact with the real needs of others
Pride often manifests itself in the form of self-centeredness: “My problems are more important, for others ... well, let them cope themselves.” To “switch” yourself and feel a shared human experience, psychologists recommend practicing empathy and participating in charity. When confronted with real stories of other people’s difficulties, the belief that “the world must revolve around me” begins to crumble.

• Example: participation in volunteer projects, visits to hospitals or nursing homes, etc. Contact with vulnerable groups of people reduces sharp egocentrism, helping to realize that we are only part of the larger world.

5. Irony and the ability to laugh at yourself
The last but most important tool against pride is the ability to see yourself as not being too serious. Pride is usually very vulnerable to jokes. Self-irony is a sign of healthy self-esteem. If we can sometimes ridicule our imperfections, it means that our egos are not fragile and flexible.

• How to implement: Practice mild humor about yourself, without going into self-humiliation. For example, admit to your friends, “Yes, I could have persisted in my rightness, but let me put on some self-irony!”
• Result: It will be easier to accept other people's jokes, and relationships with people will become more relaxed and warm.

How dangerous is neurotic perfectionism?
Sometimes pride masquerades as the “idea that everything should be the best”: a person insists on perfection, not accepting other people’s opinions. This gives rise to neurotic perfectionism, in which any blunder is perceived as a disaster and other people seem “not competent enough” to advise it. Psychological counseling statistics show that people with the highest need to control everything and achieve the absolute ideal often find themselves in a state of chronic stress and anxiety.

From this we can see again: the ability to let go of absolute control, to humble pride, to realize human nature (everyone is wrong) leads to greater calm and more harmonious relationships.



Conclusion
Pride is not just a “bad trait”, but a complex set of feelings tied to self-esteem, fear of vulnerability and the desire for superiority. But the fact is that it can become an obstacle to building healthy ties with the world and yourself: a proud person is often doomed to a constant “defensive struggle” for his status. Fortunately, we have a number of tools to help soften these sharp corners.

The first step is to acknowledge the problem by noticing how painfully we react to criticism or how we crave acceptance. Next, you can apply an “outside view”, develop a sense of gratitude, participate in helping others and practice healthy self-irony. It is this approach—a combination of rational analysis of one’s reactions, the development of empathy, and the rejection of the illusion of “all-knowingness”—that helps “lower” the ego and find true greatness in humility and benevolence.

It’s not about not appreciating yourself and your achievements. Rather, one must allow oneself to be human, make mistakes, learn from others, and keep in one’s heart respect for one’s fellow man. Pride weakens us by forcing us to defend ourselves against imaginary threats. Humility, by contrast, opens the door to learning and honest, sincere connections. And then, instead of endless rivalry, we can enter a path of mutual growth and support, where the “strong person” is not the one who is “above all”, but the one who is ready to learn, help and wisely relate to his place in this big world.