Let’s get one thing straight.

There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious, competitive, and driven.

It’s even encouraged by enthusiastic parents across the globe.

And when those successes inevitably come, we should all be proud of our accomplishments.

But some people take pride too far. They let it get to their heads. Their achievements (no matter how big or small) can change them forever. Things can get toxic.

Euphoria, over-confidence, and arrogance can creep in.

The dark side of success.

They can become normalized to their new-found achievements. Humility and open-mindedness go out of the window as they become self-obsessed.

How do you spot deeply proud people?

Watch out for these six typical warning signs.

1) See life as a competition

Excessively proud people see the world from a unique perspective.

They have a ‘you-vs-me’ attitude.

In other words, they’re naturally competitive people who want to win.

Which in their mind, usually means having the most money, driving the fastest car, and living in the biggest house.

So when they hit their goals, they can feel like they’ve won the game. This gives them an incredible sense of pride.

But here’s the thing.

They fail to realize that this is just one way of looking at life and there are other things we can use as a barometer for success.

Namely, meaningful relationships, health and fitness, mental well-being, love, and respect for others.

Deeply proud people may neglect these things to get to where they want to be.

After all, to them, the number you see on the cash machine is the only thing that matters.

This leads to our second point.

2) Obsessed with social media

We’ve all been there.

Whether it’s in a restaurant with a delicious plate of food or on vacation watching the sunset, it’s tempting to broadcast life’s highlights on social media.

The occasional photo doesn’t hurt. After all, we’re just updating our friends and family, right?

Well, take caution!

Chasing those likes can be addictive. It taps into our natural craving for acceptance and validation from people around us.

Put it this way.

Deep down, we all want to be liked.

Excessively proud people even more so.

What can start out as a couple of posts a month can turn into a full-blown obsession. Deeply proud people want everybody to know just how great their lives are.

They actively plan out their posting schedule, going out of their way to get that amazing (staged) photo.

The truth of the matter is, they’re just posting a highlight reel.

We’re only seeing a filtered view of their lives.

Plus, their amazing sunset shots or job promotion posts are more likely to depress than impress.

Several studies have found that prolonged use of sites like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can lead to depression.

3) Struggle to accept support

Deeply proud people don’t like to be seen as charity cases.

It’s a symptom of how they see everything as a competition.

In reality, life can throw us a curveball and it’s more than okay to take some help from time to time.

Whether it comes in the form of financial help, emotional support, or just a shoulder to cry on.

It’s what friends are for.

Just because you’ve had success in your life doesn’t mean you’re immune to stress, anxiety, and other mental-health-related issues.

Here’s the thing.

Their overwhelming sense of pride makes them afraid (or even embarrassed) to appear weak and helpless.

But millionaires, CEOs of large companies, and world-famous celebrities can suffer just like the rest of us.

4) Masters of the humblebrag

The humblebrag is when you say something, without saying it.

Here’s an example.

Let’s say your neighbor just received a pay rise. They’ve been pushing for promotion for months now and finally achieved their goal. Good for them!

You bump into them in the street, but before you can offer your congratulations, they hit you with the humblebrag:

“Oh, I’m so busy at the moment. I can’t believe I got another promotion at work. It’s nice to be recognized, but sometimes I wonder if I really deserve it. I guess I just got lucky.”

It’s passive-aggressive at its core. A brag hidden behind a veil of modesty.

The indirect nature of the humblebrag makes it seem more acceptable than blatantly boasting about achievements. 

It’s something that deeply proud people have perfected.

5) Insist on paying

Whether it’s in a restaurant, at the gas station, or in the grocery store, deeply proud people love to pay (even if they can’t afford it).

The classic example is a traditional-minded man on a first date.

They’re ashamed (or too proud) to not get the bill. In their mind, they feel judged or worthless if they can’t take care of the situation.

It’s not always a bad thing. After all, being compassionate and helping others is a great trait to have.

But deeply proud people insist on paying for all the wrong reasons.

Think about it.

When you peel back the layers, they’re getting the bill because they’re self-centered. They want to maintain a certain image and are extremely insecure about how they’re seen by others.

This leads nicely to our final point.

6) Care what others think

Now, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care what anyone thinks about me.

It’s perfectly normal to want to fit in.

But deeply proud people can take it to the extreme.

When you boil it down, one of the biggest drivers in their lives is how they’re perceived by people around them.

They fear judgment more than anything else.

Maybe it comes from deep-rooted insecurities or traumatic childhood experiences.

Telltale signs include constantly seeking approval, changing themselves to be popular, and feeling like they’re never good enough.

But there’s something they need to realize.

We’re all human and nobody is perfect. Material goods, status, and money aren’t the meaning of life.

Instead, focus on building real connections with people by demonstrating altruism and going out of your way to help.

Don’t be so concerned with yourself.

At the end of the day, we’re all pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things!