Why Is It So Hard to Take a Compliment?

What if they don’t like me?

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but the truth is: that will happen.
No matter how modest you are, how qualified, how kind or well-meaning—there will always be people who don’t resonate with you.
Some won’t understand your work.
Some might judge it.
And yes, some might even feel threatened by your light, your talent, or your joy.

But HEAR me when I say this: that’s not your burden to carry.

Not everyone likes tulips. That doesn’t mean tulips are ugly or less worthy. It just means some people prefer roses.
That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing personal. It doesn’t take away from the beauty or value of a single tulip petal.
It doesn’t diminish your shine.

And if someone is uncomfortable with your success, your confidence, or your happiness—remember, that’s a reflection of their story, not yours.
Still, we often silence our joy.
We tone ourselves down to avoid making anyone else feel uncomfortable.
We don’t want to appear arrogant or full of ourselves, so we bury the excitement. We don’t point at ourselves and say:

"YEAH, I did that! Isn’t it great?"

Even though deep inside, we’re having a party.
But here’s the thing:
It is not okay to keep dimming your light just to make others more comfortable.
It is not okay to deny your brilliance, your effort, or your impact.

You are allowed to feel proud of yourself.
You are allowed to soak in the joy of what you’ve created, offered, or become.
You are allowed to smile, to celebrate, to jump up and down like a child who just nailed their very first cartwheel,
because you did the thing, and that matters.

Even if you’re dancing alone in your garden, do it.
Give yourself that joy. Let yourself feel it. Own your moment.
Because there is no shame in being the best version of you—and loving that version out loud.
You don’t have to shout it from the rooftops (unless you want to).
But you do have to stop apologizing for being brilliant, kind, creative, or capable.

This isn’t about arrogance. This is about balance.
The same way you allow yourself to admit your struggles, allow yourself to own your light too.
You are here to shine. So go ahead and glow.

Start today.
Let yourself feel proud. Let yourself be seen. The next time someone gives you a compliment, resist the urge to shrink or deflect,
just smile, breathe it in, and say thank you!
The next time you accomplish something that lights you up, let yourself celebrate it fully.
Because the world doesn’t need more people playing small.
It needs more people who are brave enough to stand in their light and say,
“Yes. I did that. And I’m proud.”
You’re not just allowed to shine, you’re meant to.

GO .... BE A PEACOCK.

You’ve earned it.

Rosita

Isn’t it weird how easily we admit our faults or limitations, sometimes without even being asked, but we fumble or freeze when someone gives us a compliment?

Why is that?
Why do we squirm in discomfort instead of standing tall and simply saying thank you?
Why do we hesitate to take credit for the good things we've done?

I believe that deep down, a lot of us think that if we keep ourselves small, if we fade into the background just enough, we can protect ourselves from disappointment.
Because if we dare to feel proud, really proud, and someone doesn’t respond with the same enthusiasm, it stings. It can feel personal, even if it’s not.

Your soul might be cheering and doing somersaults on the inside, but your mind is already preparing for rejection.

What if they don’t like my gift? What if they think my outfit is too much? What if my voice, my ideas, my cooking, my presence… just isn’t good enough?

And there it is. That question so many of us carry deep within:

It’s Not Arrogance, It’s Growth