Self-diminishing
The term 'self-diminishing' describes a tendency or behavior in which an individual systematically undermines their own self-worth, confidence, or achievements, often as a result of low self-esteem, insecurity, or negative self-perception. This behavior may manifest in various forms, including self-sabotage, reluctance to accept praise, or downplaying one's abilities and successes.
Self-diminishing meaning with examples
- During team presentations, Sarah’s self-diminishing nature often led her to focus on her perceived flaws while completely overlooking her strengths. As a result, although her contributions were significant, she would end her speeches with a meek, 'I hope that was okay,’ instead of acknowledging the value she brought to the project and team.
- Michael struggled with self-diminishing behavior, frequently rejecting compliments from colleagues even when they praised his detailed analytical reports. His constant dismissal of positive feedback affected his morale and left others confused, as they couldn’t understand why he failed to see the excellence in his own work.
- In her memoir, Jenna chronicles her journey through self-diminishing thoughts, revealing how they overshadowed many milestones in her life. Despite graduating with honors, she often found herself thinking that her success was merely due to luck, never giving herself credit for the years of hard work and dedication she invested.
- In social settings, upon hearing others share their accomplishments, Tim’s self-diminishing tendencies would kick in. Instead of celebrating his peers, he often found himself comparing achievements, leading him to believe his own life was unremarkable, which stifled his happiness and prevented him from enjoying the moment.
