Alright, so, something I've been talking about with my therapist a lot, but I thoughts folks out here could have interesting povs.
To sum it up, I'm constantly trying to act like a saint (figuratively, I'm an atheist). There's one exception to this, people holding power and making others miserable in any way.
But basically, you know, this whole mentality of banishing anger, jealousy, egoism, selfishness, greed, desire for power and authority and all that? That's me.
I don't mean I manage to do so constantly, but that's what I strive for.
One could think, and I did think, it was a desire for social praise. But really, when I get praised, which happen a lot, I don't care and that's more awkward that anything (like : woa dude, it's not the Oscars or something, chill out). And little by little, I started to think it didn't have much to do with being praised, that's just striving to live as I think it's better to live. To live a life I'll me content with when the grim reaper will come and all praises won't mean anything anymore.
My therapist thinks it's not really an issue as long as it doesn't cause myself pain (which it does because I'm deaf to my own needs 50% of the times).
But I don't see a satisfying way to live apart from that.
One potential misinterpretation I'd like to prevent. It's a very strong drive, but it doesn't make me blind. It really doesn't happen a lot but whenever I'm angry, I'm not feeling guilty. I know why I feel this, it's just that I didn't have any other way to manage a situation/feeling. I'll just strive to do better next time by trying to modify the situation so that anger will not be the most probable answer.
Do you find it weird? Anyone adopting this kind of behavior? Maybe everyone does. It may sound a bit megalomaniac, like hey I'm exceptional, but it really isn't what I mean. To my own eyes, I'm not a bad or a good person. I'm just trying to be what I want. If somebody tries to be someone different, it's all fine by me.
TL;DR : Is having high moral standards for one's self weird or toxic? Does my message actually sound megalomaniac?
An interesting question, thanks for asking it. I'm guessing I'm not the only one thinking about their own behaviour in framing an answer.
Two questions for you:
You accidentally drop a plate in the kitchen and it smashes. How do you feel? Are you angry? Frustrated that you've behaved less than perfectly?
Your friend does the same thing. How do you feel then?
If you're like me and more likely to be forgiving to them than yourself for what is obviously an accident, why?
Why do you treat yourself harsher than yourself?
For me, it's because at some level I consider myself better than them so shouldn't have made such a mistake, even though at other levels, I think almost everyone else is better than me. Looking at my own mind logically for just this scenario, I have to conclude it cannot be trusted on the matter of self image. I think that's accurate.
And how do you define behaving perfectly? That's a subjective standard, you cannot achieve it to everyone's satisfaction. You've set yourself up for failure - that doesn't feel healthy, it feels like a trap set that's impossible not to walk into. I'm pretty sure nobody trustworthy has ever has a moment of absolute clarity that allows them to answer all these questions satisfactorily - I'm getting old now and as far as I can see, we're all just trying to figure this stuff out as best we can.
There's the phrase - be kind to yourself. As I've got older, I think that's more true than ever. I've tried to honour it, alongside being kind to others. I don't always succeed, but I figure that as long as I'm trying, it's /good enough/.
Like you, I'm an Athiest. I'm not living to a standard to score points. I try not to mostly live within society's norms because I'm selfish, and it's easier than not doing so. Upset people cause fuss. Breaking laws has consequences. I dislike fuss so I try not to cause it.
I hope you find your way. I think your therapist is on the right track, but what answers are right for you aren't always clear to see.
I sort of relate to the OP, except I fail at acting correctly all the time instead of succeeding.
For the plate example, it doesn't do much for me either because it's just an accident. If you instead relate something to a level of skill or emotional response, I see it a bit differently. People accuse me of being "too hard on myself" also, but they just don't understand the situation.
For example: other people are better employees than me. It doesn't matter how hard I work, I cannot match their output. So I sometimes work extra unpaid hours to help ease the burden from my competent coworkers.
Another example: Many people are able to just not react when someone acts like a dick to them. I have a tendency to react, which is wrong.
Another example: most people have other things going on and many difficulties in their lives. I have no difficulties or complications, so I have no right to complain or do things incorrectly whereas others do.
Hmmm.. If I drop a plate and it smashes, I won't feel much. Maybe a bit pissed for 5 secs if I'm in a hurry. I'll just take another. If a friends does it, I won't react in any specific way. In both cases, there's no.. moral question involved for me, I think. Do you think there could be?
I'm striving to be as just and kind as it is possible in a given situation. And sincerely, I truly think I'm doing this for myself. Well, it's complicated since I'm also the kind of person who tries to please everyone he loves. But.. I feel my reward is not any praises, praises are bland, they don't understand what is at play. Not points but searching for the best behavior, nourishing the best ideas, giving minimal place to the others.
I sincerely think I'm not considering myself better or worse than anyone. My way is a moral one. A certain of moral, as well. So that's what I strive for. I totally admit other people could strive for something else entirely and I wish them luck in this, except if it's toxic and power hungry.
So since I very rarely compare myself to others, the question of my value compared to theirs makes no sense for me. The question of my own value to my own eyes either. I am. I don't have to prove anything to anyone, even to myself. Being us enough.
But I find your answer very delicate, wise and kind so thank you very much for writing this, truly!
Thanks for the reply - interesting response. I think I might be projecting my own likely response to the plate question, so in hindsight it's probably not very useful other than identifying we react differently.