Self-Aware: 'I Really Let Myself Down'
Detailed admittances reveal critical, helpful understanding
In the midst of our behavior that brings problems into life, it isn’t always natural and easy to come to grips with the point of origin of those issues. When we can do so, however, we are much more likely to move in the “right” direction as far as effectively addressing what is creating friction for us.
“What a bad day, I really let myself down,” lamented musician Matty Healy on the Reddit social media account for his band, The 1975, about a public conflict with Azealia Banks.
“I have worked so hard to move past these impulsive, self-destructive and honestly, quite volatile outbursts I have,” Healy explained. “I’m constantly making trouble for myself for no reason. I come back to social media after depressive episodes (which is NOT an excuse) because I often become sober, so as an addict when I’m not using I pick up social media my new way of ‘consuming’ and changing how I feel.”
He’s emoting here, yes: it’s his way of communicating with some of his stakeholders —about the errors of his ways, him now understanding it is a pattern and showing that he addiction and weak self control are drivers of his trouble. Of course, none of this solves his problems yet he’s not dismissive of the criticism he’s facing or denying it.
There is hope for people who can “get there” in their mind, who courageously communicate, to themselves and others, that how their brain is working, how their habits are materializing and how their misbehavior is playing out is harming not only themselves but others.
Healy admitting he let himself down and any criticism (or threat of a lawsuit) is a positive step because what he did and keeps doing is his own doing. He’s correct, he’s making trouble for himself. That clarity is a second positive.
That he can label his behavior as “impulsive, self-destructive” and add that he is having, “honestly, quite volatile outbursts” is again, one more positive. This detailed admission is necessary to focus on how dangerous his actions are in the world.
Healy addresses his involvement with substances when he talks about being an addict. He knows that drugs are a significant Achilles heal affecting him.
Will he, with professional assistance, sustained effort, resilience and time, be able to overcome his emotions, psychology, addiction and reactive habits? It might seem like a longshot or impossible. It can be accomplished. It will be extremely difficult.
He wouldn’t be the first to succeed though and he’s ahead of the game with his communication. That it also sounds sincere is a helpful “marker.” Now, it’s time for the painful next steps, repeated over and over and over. Will the commitment be there?
This newsletter — Reputation Intelligence — is written by Michael Toebe, and is a product of Reputation Intelligence - Reputation Quality, a firm which helps individuals and organizations assure a greater peace of mind, provide stress relief through reliable decision analysis, consulting, advisory and communications.
Professional analysis and opinion — consulting — advisory — communications
To advertise within anywhere on this website, click here to learn more.
