The Sin of Pride: Balancing Openness for a Healthier Mind

Hello readers,

Today, I want to delve into a topic that profoundly impacts our lives: pride. Often referred to as a 'sin,' pride can manifest in ways that significantly affect our mental and emotional well-being. If you find yourself closed off, fearful of what others think, this article might offer some valuable insights.

Firstly, what is pride? In essence, it's the fear of what other people think of us. Pride can have a dual-edged nature—on one hand, it can keep us private and prevent us from airing our dirty laundry. However, on the flip side, it can be detrimental if it stops us from sharing our struggles. A common adage is that a problem shared is a problem halved, but those who struggle with pride often find it hard to admit they've made a mistake.

I speak about this because it's something I've battled with for most of my life. My fear of what others think can be stifling. Sometimes I swing to the opposite extreme and share too much. The challenge lies in striking a balance between openness and maintaining a level of privacy—a struggle so many of us face.

In reality, most people are too caught up in their own lives to scrutinize ours deeply. You might worry about public perception, but everyone else is busy tackling their own challenges. This is evident even in the realm of social media, where a post might capture attention for a brief period before disappearing into obscurity. Public speaking is another area where this fear is amplified for many. I've experienced both ends of the spectrum—successes and perceived failures—and found that people generally pay less attention to our mistakes than we think.

Therefore, pride, while helpful in preserving some privacy, shouldn't prevent us from sharing our problems. Opening up can be incredibly beneficial for our mental health. Surprisingly, many people are kind and willing to support us through our struggles. Even when things go wrong, most individuals won’t relish in causing us further pain.

I've worked hard to overcome my pride and have found a kind of halfway house through this vlog. Running in solitude and speaking to a camera has proven therapeutic for me. Even though these videos get published widely, the act of sharing helps keep my mental health in check. If we refuse to share our burdens, it can lead to mental health breakdowns.

To summarise, examine your own pride. Are you too proud, or perhaps too open? Find a balance. Bottling up feelings through fear of others' judgement is damaging. Remember that a problem shared is indeed a problem halved. We’re quick to share our successes, but often too proud to admit our failures. Those who are the proudest and share the least often carry the heaviest mental burdens.

I'm still on my journey to balancing my pride. This vlog has been a crucial outlet for me, enabling me to unload and maintain my mental health. If you find yourself struggling, consider finding your own way to share—be it through writing, speaking, or another medium. Unloading is powerful and necessary for a healthier mind.

Thank you for being part of this journey. If you believe in my mission of saving the lives of children by attempting the ultimate ultramarathon of run vlogging on consecutive days over a distance around the world, barefoot style, please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more people we reach, the more money we raise, and the more children's lives we save.

Stay positive, stay happy, and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Kevin Brittain