When Pride Gets in the Way

Pride can feel like strength.

It holds our head high.

It helps us push through hard days.

It tells us, “You’ve got this.”

And sometimes… it’s exactly what we need.

But there’s another side to pride we don’t talk about enough.

The side that whispers, “Don’t admit you were wrong.”

The side that says, “Don’t be the first to apologise.”

The side that convinces us, “You shouldn’t need help.”

That’s the kind of pride that quietly becomes our worst enemy.

I’ve seen it in sport.

Athletes sticking with a strategy that isn’t working because they don’t want to look foolish changing course.

I’ve seen it in relationships.

Two good people not talking for months because neither wants to say, “I’m sorry” first.

And I’ve felt it in myself.

Times when asking for help felt harder than pushing through alone.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned the hard way:

Pride protects your ego.

Humility protects your growth.

Every time we refuse to admit we were wrong, we stay stuck.

Every time we don’t reach out, we carry weight we don’t have to.

Every time we hold onto “being right,” we risk losing connection.

Strength isn’t pretending you don’t need anyone.

Real strength is saying:

“I got that wrong.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Can you help me?”

If pride is holding you back, try this:

Pause before reacting. Ask yourself, Do I want to be right, or do I want to move forward?

Practice small humility reps. Admit tiny mistakes. Ask for small bits of help. It builds the muscle.

Focus on the outcome, not your image. Growth beats ego every time.

Because at the end of the day, pride might guard your pride…but humility opens doors.

And doors are what move us forward.