Inspired by this thread on men's penis insecurities, I got to wondering how well most of us naturally accept compliments.
Personally, it's really hard for me to be complimented---even genuine, thoughtful compliments will immediately send me to worrying whether something is wrong with me that made the complimenter open his mouth to reassure me about. I've been struggling for years now to be able to accept compliments neutrally (and, maybe, someday, gracefully), without spiraling into thinking the complimenter means the opposite of what was said---whether it's about my body, or about the dinner I just made, or my performance on a recent project.
Being able to give compliments to boost your partner's esteem within a relationship is really important, and I wonder how everyone else feels about their own ability to accept compliments, their partner's ability to accept compliments, and how that affects your relationship. Does this come naturally for most people? How do you feel like your relationship with your partner affects your self-esteem?
Personally, it's really hard for me to be complimented---even genuine, thoughtful compliments will immediately send me to worrying whether something is wrong with me that made the complimenter open his mouth to reassure me about. I've been struggling for years now to be able to accept compliments neutrally (and, maybe, someday, gracefully), without spiraling into thinking the complimenter means the opposite of what was said---whether it's about my body, or about the dinner I just made, or my performance on a recent project.
Being able to give compliments to boost your partner's esteem within a relationship is really important, and I wonder how everyone else feels about their own ability to accept compliments, their partner's ability to accept compliments, and how that affects your relationship. Does this come naturally for most people? How do you feel like your relationship with your partner affects your self-esteem?
