I used to have a huge ego. I changed. How do I get over the crippling embarrassment of what I used to say/do?

[Brunettexoxo]

[TheRealPepperPotts]

I don't know what everyone else does, but when I think of something embarrassing I've done, I face the it head on and address the feelings I feel when I think about whatever it was. I think...

"Wow, I felt and feel really embarrassed about this! It was [whatever you think it was]. But why do I feel that way about it? I am growing and learning, and everyone makes mistakes. It's OK to make mistakes, and it's OK to feel embarrassed about the mistakes I have made. I can learn from this right now. If I had this happen again, what's another way I could handle is that reflects who I've become?"

It doesn't have to follow that exact format, but what that does is it allows you to identify the areas you can improve and learn from, and often, it makes the mistake feel a lot smaller when you identify the specific thing that you wish you could change and sit with it without judging it. It helps you forgive yourself and not keep dragging the shame around. Over time, you'll be able to dismiss it more and more quickly, and eventually, you'll probably forget all about it. Face the shame, and you'll reduce the fear of it and it's power over you.

[northerngal]

Well you cannot drvie a car by looking in the rear view mirror... learn from the past but don't dwell on it. In fact the reality is you have made changes... be proud of that fact. Many people never reach that level of self awareness. That shows real growth.

[Nerdvana]

Just know that nobody is perfect. And you a different person every five years. But you have recognized the need to change something about yourself and you changed. That's amazing. Most people don't a strong enough character to change like you. When you change yourself for the better, than you have done your part to change the world for the better.

[AviatorTom]

Simple. Concentrate on the present and the future, and put the past behind you. No one can change the past.

[AI Opinion]

Aiming to sprinkle a bit of wisdom here—navigating the seas of past egos and current cringes can be quite the voyage! 💫 Picture this: every overconfident line you dropped, every extravagant gesture you made, they were just part of your journey to today’s marvelous you. Honestly, embracing the fact that you’ve grown is like acknowledging you’ve leveled up in the game of life. Think of your past self as a character you played to discover who you really are. It's okay to feel a bit red-faced when those memories pop up, but remember, they don't define you now. You’ve danced past that stage, and now you're choreographing a new routine. So, when embarrassment tries to tango with you, just swirl it into a laugh, knowing it's just part of the performance that led you here. Keep moving to the rhythm of your growth, and trust me, the dance becomes more rewarding! 🕺✨

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@SotiCoto I think I can hear Johnny Depp reading this aloud... I am thinking the AI is actually Jack Sparrow on his 25th rum, watching Jessica Biel and Colin Firth tango in Easy Virtue. What do you think? :D

[SotiCoto]

@TheRealPepperPotts : I can imagine that, yeah.

[DishLady]

Not knowing the extent of the damage caused, I would presume that you just go about the day being mindful and humble towards everyone. If there are people you've offended in your past then apologize to them and mend the broken fences, you know?

[ZackBan]

Accept that you've grown and changed.
Acknowledge that you wouldn't be a humble person today without learning the lessons ego taught you.

That's how life works. We are constantly evolving as people

[SotiCoto]

Let the past stay in the past. Concentrate on what you're going to do moving forwards.
If you don't think about it then you won't be able to be embarrassed by it.

[HawkPerception]

This is a meme I made a long time ago and think it applies perfectly here.

[Billlewis]

Don't worry about it; just take it in stride and live your life. I just started following you and I'd like to invite you to follow me as well, if that's alright. Thank you very much.

[loveslongnails]

You don't get over it, you move past it. You remember it and why you were that way and use it as a reminder never to repeat it. Think of it as being a child then and growing out of it into an adult now.

[JacobJordan]

You don't. That will be with forever as a reminder of who you were and will be again if you don't maintain the effort it took you to leave it behind

[ProbablyClueless]

There's not much you can do besides learn and grow from the experiences.

[Brunettexoxo]

It wasn’t that bad I just used to always think I was right and thought people where out to get me / jealous of me if they were harsh to me, but it wasn’t like me walking around thinking I’m gods gift it was just a narcissistic and I guess self absorb, black and white way of thinking which was a defensive mechanism at the time

[ProbablyClueless]

You could certainly try apologizing to people you treated badly, if you think it will help smooth things over. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. As long as you tried and put a good faith effort into it, you've done all you can do.

I'm going to be totally real with you; very few of the people I've ever apologized to (who I genuinely owed an apology to) have accepted my apologies. Most of them chose to continue being angry and vindictive. Although, a few have accepted the apology and we moved on in peace.

[Yannae]

If you say you changed, you just accept what happened and move on. If you can't move on, that ego is still there, a little bit.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I don't think you can do anything besides not do those things again

[Maxnanet]

Just move on !
We all did dumb things ,
Living with it and be at peace is part of the process of learning

[OddBeMe]

We all have crippling memories of past embarsssments. Do you remember anyone else’s past embarrassment? So no one but you remembers yours.

[justabuddy]

Laugh at it, apologize. It was in the past... let it stay there.

[Anonymous]

I did a lot of goofy things in the past we can’t let it hold us down. We can only learn and grow.

[Theodoricus]

Just be kind lady and focus on the future.

[dustybiker2]

Own it and move on. It's being an adult.

[Fireguy17]

Own up to it, apologize and keep moving forward.

[DaBiggestBird]

Forgive yourself

[Anonymous]

What did you do and what did you say?

[Danny_dan92]

Move on from it