Is Vanity So Bad?

[HighlyVolatile]

I've been thinking that I'm kind of a vain person. I really like myself! I think I'm cool in an old fogie way these days! Flaws and all, you know. I think I'm pretty fit for my age! I sometimes want to post my shirtless fitness pics on here, especially when I'm intoxicated.

But I never thought myself better than anyone else. I just really like myself. Terms like "better" or "worse" don't compute in my brain. I'm not comparing myself. I just like myself a lot. Is that so bad?

I also seem to test very low on the dark triad thing like so, but self-absorption and ego are my top things and maybe more pronounced than usual since that's all I seem to have in the dark traits:

Also, this entire post might be an exercise in vanity if I question it endlessly. Maybe I'm trying to show off or something. I keep finding vanity if I question what I do to the nth degree.

Updates

+1 y

I once read an article from Julie Bell (a great artist and bodybuilder) about how vanity shouldn't be considered so bad between her exquisite paintings:
d32dm0rphc51dk.cloudfront.net/.../large.jpg
... but she was careful not to conflate vanity with arrogance and things like that. No aggression toward other people, or looking down upon them, just a sort of pride in her herself and what she has accomplished (she used herself as a model in most of her paintings).

Updates

+1 y

It was reading her article in a favorite art book that got me wondering about this question.

[Lliam]

I feel the same way as you described yourself. "I never thought myself better than anyone else. I just really like myself. Terms like "better" or "worse" don't compute in my brain. I'm not comparing myself. I just like myself a lot."

I always thought of vanity as a negative. 'Excessive' pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements. Preening and gazing into the mirror like Narcissus. Conceited, arrogant, desperate for adoration.

I'll admit that it feels wonderful to be admired. I like to look good. I was lucky to be liked by some pretty girls. I'm a musician and one of the biggest rushes is to be applauded and complimented, and that can apply to other things besides music. It's great to be looked up to and to have people place their confidence in me.

Everyone wants to be admired. I take pride in some things about myself but, as you said, I didn't see it as a competition. I'm happy to admire others without any hint of jealousy.

Self confidence and the confidence other place in use motivates us to push the limits and do things we weren't sure we could do.

I would have called my attitude something other than vanity. Maybe self esteem.

[spartan55]

"Cool in an old fogie way"... think I'm going to use this one. Brilliant.

[HighlyVolatile]

High-five!

[spartan55]

Looks your mental health is squared away. Just keep that egoism in check and you're gold!

[HighlyVolatile]

Cheers!

[spartan55]

@highlyvolatile
Question: did you take those mental health assessments online? Were they free? Link? Thanks.

[HighlyVolatile]

It's been years since I took that one. I saved the results but I think it might have been this one:
www.idrlabs.com/dark-core-personality/test.php

[LovingLoverReturned]

What's there to dislike on a complete scale? Nothing. So no problem...

Do you know your limitations and think they exist?
In that case, this may very well be a healthy form of self love.
Perhaps many healthy individuals feel like that but just never thought of it or to express it.

I've loved some people like that. If you're cool, you're cool 😜

[LovingLoverReturned]

Ouu Julie Bell

[Apulu_Imback]

This has something to do with age? I just felt like my dad was explaining his situation. He is also going through this but he is a bit elder than you though (47 years). Did you felt this way before too or you are feeling this lately?

[HighlyVolatile]

I think I've always been this way. I might have fluctuated a bit on the dark triad test but mostly the same.

[Apulu_Imback]

That's kind of a unique combination. Like loving yourself yet feeling you are vain. I will say try to ignore the things which make you feel vain and instead of thinking a lot on your Darkside try to illuminate it and make it bright. Try to improve your mood rather than staying in it and feeling vain. You already love yourself then it won't be difficult for you to do so.

[Jltakk]

Vanity can certainly be bad in certain situations. However, being completely filled with self hate like myself doesn't help anybody.

[Vendela]

Nah it's okay, I like myself too! A lot 😏