Written by Thyra Rogl, Hypnotherapist
Thyra Rogl is a hypnotherapist and founder of Læremer, a holistic clinic focused on personal growth. With over 14 years of experience in healthcare, she blends medical expertise and hypnotherapy to empower individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and create fulfilling lives.
I would like to start off with a little bit of bragging, and my goal is to make it easier for you to feel more comfortable bragging about yourself by the end of this article. Because if I can even write a whole public article about myself bragging, how could you think you shouldn’t?
I’d like to tell you about what I did last summer, why I am so proud of it, and even further, why it should make it easier for you to feel pride in your accomplishments, no matter how big or small they are. I’ll tell you what happens in your brain when you start to be more comfortable with bragging about yourself inside your head and maybe even out loud in front of other people. I’m going to tell you why you’re not alone in having internalized the Norwegian "Janteloven" and how you can change that in a healthy way.
Last summer’s epic (and somewhat nerve-racking) road trip
Last summer, I decided that it was time to visit my grandparents in Austria after not having seen them physically for 7 years. Mind you, I’ve been living in Norway since 2010, with my family spread all over Austria and the world. As a travel nurse, I’m used to driving through Norway in every weather condition, so I thought, "I’m quite the well-educated driver for warm and sunny Europe, right?"
But this trip was different. I wasn’t just driving through my familiar Norwegian landscapes; I was about to drive across multiple countries AND motorways I wasn’t used to. I got my driver’s license in Austria, but I’d never actually driven on Austrian roads or the motorway there. So, yes, there was a small amount of ‘I-have-no-idea-what-I’m-doing’ energy in the air. It meant navigating unknown roads, languages (*trying to clear throat from potato* Danish, I mean), and cultures along with the excitement and challenges that come with a long solo road trip (with my wire-haired dachshund on the passenger’s seat).
Journey to Austria
So, let’s go on this journey together: I’m leaving my house at 2 pm, aiming to catch the ferry in Kristiansand at 4 pm, and then reach Hirtshals in Denmark by 8 pm. I, with a boat certificate but never really able to be on boats, was not expecting to feel seasick. But the weather wasn’t exactly calm seas, it was rough. You can imagine the amazing relief (mixed with my excitement) when we finally got off the ferry, and I knew my first stop would be in about 4 hours in Germany.
But as soon as I got onto the Danish motorway, reality hit: I’m not in luxurious Norway anymore, and there are no streetlights on the motorway! So, it was just me, my GPS, and Boris (my faithful and maybe willing passenger). If you’ve ever had a dachshund, you know what I mean by “maybe willing” because he’s a very independently thinking sausage dog!
At first, I wasn’t overly uneasy because I knew that the chances of driving too fast were really slim. The speed limit on Norwegian motorways is 110 km/h, in Austria it’s 130 km/h, and we all know about the non-existent speed limit in Germany. But I still had that nagging thought that I wasn’t driving as fast as I could, and it started to get to me.
So I did what any other grown, independent, ambitious woman would do in the dark, in the middle of Denmark (afraid to stop at a gas station, not because of any danger, but because I was Danish): I called my mom!
My mom, knowing that I had planned to cross nearly three countries in two days, took my call immediately. "Mom, how fast can I drive?"
"Not fast!" she answered immediately.
"I’m only driving 110 km/h, and the few cars passing me are driving faster," I replied, already trying to justify my snail-paced progress.
"Ahh, you’re doing the Norwegian driving, haha. Okay, you can drive faster. I remember that it was 120 km/h in Denmark. But I’ll Google it," she said and hung up.
I sped up to 120 km/h. The GPS adjusted the time of arrival, and I was pleased. But then, my mother called again to tell me that it was actually 130 km/h but advised me to keep it at 120 km/h for safety. Of course, I couldn’t tell her the real reason for my pace I was having a mental race with the GPS clock and I couldn’t afford to slow down. So, 130 km/h it was.
Reflecting on self-worth: Embracing confidence without bragging
Because who doesn’t do that during a road trip? In those 4 hours, I did something I’d never done before while driving so I turned off the radio. No music, no audiobooks. It was just me, my dog, the darkness, and my thoughts. And yes, there I was, in the middle of Denmark, contemplating my life choices (and possibly whether I or my dog represented Pinky or Brain in some grand scheme. Because he seemed to be pondering about the greatness of not having to listen to me singing poorly along with any music while I got anxious about a speed limit and missing light conditions in the middle of the night).
I started thinking about my work as a hypnotherapist and reflected on the amazing clients I’ve had. They were all different, but there was one thing they shared: the shame of talking good about themselves. The guilt that comes with being proud and maybe even bragging about one’s abilities.
We all know it’s not pleasant to listen to someone who’s obsessed with themselves, but is the line between being proud of yourself and being obnoxious really that fine? And could we actually be doing ourselves a disservice by not owning our successes?
That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t just an issue for my clients; it’s something I see in almost everyone I know. We downplay our wins. We feel uncomfortable acknowledging our strengths. Why? Is it because we fear we’ll come off as arrogant? Or is it because we’ve internalized Janteloven's lovely law that says you shouldn’t think you’re better than others?
Science behind self-celebration
And here’s what the research says: studies have shown that people with healthy self-esteem and self-pride tend to have greater resilience, handle challenges better, and be more successful in their personal and professional lives. For example, a study in Psychological Bulletin demonstrates that positive self-acknowledgement boosts resilience and coping mechanisms, allowing individuals to navigate stressful situations more effectively (Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K., 2013, Psychological Bulletin).
The brain releases dopamine (the “feel-good” chemical) when we acknowledge our successes, which boosts our confidence and motivates us to keep going. In fact, research published in Psychological Science explains how self-acknowledgement activates areas of the brain responsible for motivation, perseverance, and goal attainment (Creswell, J. D., et al., 2013, Psychological Science).
So why not embrace that? After all, pride in our accomplishments isn’t about bragging; it’s about recognizing what we’ve done and using that energy to fuel further growth.
Breaking free from cultural humility
You might have internalized Janteloven or similar cultural ideas about humility, but you don’t have to live by those rules. It’s time to break free from the idea that acknowledging your wins is somehow arrogant. When you celebrate your achievements, big or small, you create a powerful ripple effect in your life, and it can inspire others to do the same.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology explains how embracing self-worth and celebrating personal achievements leads to improved overall well-being and healthier behavior choices (Schmader, T., & Lickel, B., 2020, Frontiers in Psychology).
So, I want to invite you to reflect the things you’ve accomplished that you might not give yourself enough credit for. Whether it’s navigating a tough project at work, overcoming a personal challenge, or learning something new, these are all moments to be proud of. Don’t brush them off. Own them.
And this brings me back to that car trip
The whole reason I wanted to share this story with you was because it was a moment of challenge and growth for me. It wasn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It was about pushing myself, navigating unfamiliar roads, managing my doubts, and coming out the other side both physically and mentally stronger. I’m proud of how I handled that trip, not because I did anything extraordinary, but because I stepped out of my comfort zone and owned the experience.
So, the next time you’re tempted to downplay your accomplishments, whether it’s a road trip across countries, a successful project at work, or a personal challenge you’ve conquered, remember this: you don’t have to be ashamed of feeling proud of yourself. Embrace it. Brag about it. You’ve earned it.
Now that you’ve learned more about the power of celebrating your achievements and embracing your self-worth, why not take the next step in your personal growth? Whether you’re ready to break free from old patterns or want to deepen your mindset transformation, I invite you to join me on a life-changing retreat or book a personalized hypnotherapy session.
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Read more from Thyra Rogl
Thyra Rogl, Hypnotherapist
Thyra Rogl is a dedicated hypnotherapist and the founder of Læremer, a holistic clinic that supports personal transformation. Originally from Austria, Thyra has over 14 years of experience in the Norwegian healthcare system, which led her to discover the power of the mind in healing. At Læremer, she helps clients reframe limiting beliefs, build emotional resilience, and lead authentic lives. Combining her medical background with hypnotherapy, Thyra empowers individuals to live with purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Through her transformative work, she inspires people to embrace their authenticity and create lasting change.
