This is Not a Humblebrag

It’s an outright brag

Screenshot by author

Humblebrag: A seemingly modest, self-critical, or casual statement or reference that is meant to draw attention to one’s admirable or impressive qualities or achievements. Merriam-Webster

I recently discovered Heardle, a daily game where you guess the artist and name of popular songs from a variety of decades. The first time I played it, I guessed a song in under one second.

I was impressed with myself, so I sent a screenshot to some friends to share my glory. In other words, to brag. Not humblebrag.

I can’t be bothered humblebragging. It’s sneaky and passive and irksome. I’d rather be proud than falsely modest.

Studies show that humblebrags are a self-preservation strategy that “reduce liking, perceived competence, compliance with requests, and financial generosity.”

So don’t bother humblebragging. Just brag. Or proudly share your achievements, as I prefer to say.

Every now and then, I don’t mind bragging. Nor should you. There’s nothing wrong with feeling proud of your achievements and sharing them with other people. Even if your achievement is considered meaningless by some, like identifying popular mid-90s songs in under a second.