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If you are genuinely confident and secure about who you are as a person, you don’t need all that boasting and bravado. On the flip side, someone who has serious self-esteem issues is going to look for ways to prove how tough and capable they are, which can lead to some really toxic behavior.
‘SecureBros’ is a witty Instagram account that shares ironic memes, which parody what it’s like to be a (fake) alpha male. Check out some of their funniest pics below.
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marianne eliza 1 month ago
Male observing aggressive male driver: "That guy's a maniac." Same male observing aggressive female driver: "Women are lousy drivers." See the difference?
In a nutshell, insecurity is feeling unsafe or uncertain of yourself when you interact with the world and people around you. To put it simply, if you’re insecure, you react from a place of fear, not confidence.
“It often stems from unresolved trauma or unmet needs, leading to an internal state of hyper-vigilance where we seek external validation, over-analyze our actions, and doubt our worth or abilities,” licensed professional counselor and certified trauma model therapist Janice Holland explained to Verywell Mind.
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Luke Branwen 1 month ago
Being called "simp" by a $hitty dude is one of the best compliments you can receive as a man
Your insecurities can have a negative impact on your quality of life. For instance, they can undermine your relationships and your performance at work.
NYC-based neuropsychologist Sanam Hafeez, PsyD, told Verywell Mind that insecurities can lead to emotional distancing and a reluctance to be vulnerable with others, or through a compulsive desire to prove oneself.
“Hidden insecurities often lead to a reluctance to communicate feelings or needs openly and can create a cycle of distance and misunderstandings.”
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Zephyr343 1 month ago
I drink so much, my alcohol gets hangovers! But as someone that struggled in the past and overcame....this is not a flex. Nothing is more lonely than drinking because it has now become a chore.
Zig Zag Wanderer 1 month ago (edited)
I was about to say something similar. I actually had a great time, which was a problem because my body couldn't take it for years. Well done, my friend!
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Gareth 1 month ago
Alcoholic hepatitis is something not to look forward to, take it easy you need your liver to live.
BrownEyedGrrl 1 month ago (edited)
My husband died from this. Not a good death.
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As per Verywell Mind, some of the most subtle signs of insecurity include the following:
- Over-apologizing
- Having difficulty accepting compliments
- Constant need for validation
- Social withdrawal
- Avoiding challenges
- Overcompensation
- Perfectionism
- Jealousy and comparison
- People Pleasing
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When you apologize too much, it might mean that you don’t see your inherent worth, and that you’re either scared of making mistakes or being a burden to someone.
Meanwhile, if you get a compliment, the simplest thing to say is ‘thank you.’ If you find yourself needing to say something self-deprecating on top, it might indicate that you’re insecure because you have trouble accepting yourself as you are.
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Gunný Petersen 1 month ago (edited)
My ex was 100% convinced that I cheated on him for 9.5 years straight for no reason what so ever so one time when he came to pick up our daughter I told him that it doesn't matter anymore so I could be completely honest and told him that I never cheated so after a minute of silence he told me that he believed me but...... I cheated mentally!! That's when I couldn't hold myself and laughed in his face and told him that this was so useless to share with him 😅😅 how insecure can one man be??
Perfectionism is another important but subtle sign that you might be insecure. According to counselor Holland, perfectionism “often hides a deep sense of inadequacy.”
“People who struggle with perfectionism are usually afraid of criticism or failure, rejection, and they believe their value is tied to flawless performance, not in their inherent worth,” she explains.
Of course, you won’t be able to solve all of your insecurities and shift your worldview overnight. It takes a lot of time, effort, and attention to change in a meaningful way. Sometimes, with the help of a therapist.
A few things that you can do to begin tackling your insecurities include:
- Prioritizing your self-awareness, where you observe your thoughts and behavior without judging yourself
- Practicing gratitude daily
- Limiting negative self-talk and practicing self-compassion
- Limiting your tendency to compare yourself with others
- Surrounding yourself with supportive people
Meanwhile, WebMD stresses that for longer-lasting feelings of insecurity, you should consider seeking a professional therapist for help sorting out your emotions. They’ll be able to help you develop strategies to empower you in your daily life.
Even though you shouldn’t be overly naive and trusting in life, you also shouldn’t be paranoid about being rejected and disliked by others. There’s a balance to be found.
“Ask yourself if you have any reason to distrust expressions of affection or liking from others. People with insecurities sometimes express doubt and perceive rejection in everything from partner relationships to new acquaintances. These expressions can be self-fulfilling. Practice taking displays of interest at face value, something that can be easier in more casual relationships. You can build up the confidence to accept deeper affection and intimacy.”
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Aroace tiger (she/they/he) 1 month ago
Why is this the one funniest to me. Also wow this is old
In the meantime, you should focus on building meaningful, positive social connections with your friends, family, and colleagues.
“There’s an inverse correlation between healthy social networks and insecure attachment styles. Having a wide circle of friends and many close connections allows you to develop the tools and confidence to engage in deeper adult relationships,” WebMD explains.
The United States-based ‘SecureBros’ account, which jokingly states that it is for “alphas only,” has been up and running for over a decade. It was created back in May 2016. Currently, the project has 20.8k followers. We’ve reached out to the curator for comment, and we’ll update the post as soon as we hear back from them.
#28
Michael Largey 1 month ago (edited)
I'm retired. Some people try to tell my that 8 o'clock still happens twice a day, but I think they're just trying to spoof a poor old man.
Do you have any people in your social circle who have serious self-esteem issues? What about fake ‘alpha’ bros? Where do you think their insecurity stems from?
From your perspective, what does real masculinity look like? If you feel like sharing your perspective, you can join the conversation in the comments section at the very bottom of this list.
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Mario Clouâtre 1 month ago
I'm anything but an "alpha" but.... Beer is made from hops. Hops is bitter. A good shandy is sweet... but still "have a bite" to it. If you don't like bitter at all. Maybe you simply don't like beer? It's fine. You don't have to.
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Geoffrey Scott 1 month ago (edited)
As Jesus would do..I'm STILL trying to find the passage "you must shave thy head and grow thy chinstrap beard, or a Ducketh Dynasty-eth beard to be pleasing to God"
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Child of the Stars 1 month ago
I'd just be happy if people would respect it when I tell them I want no acknowledgement of my birthday. I don't secretly want a surprise party. I don't want a whole bunch of texts or phone calls. I just want to get on with my life.
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Geoffrey Scott 1 month ago
You forgot to add "with the twin stacks sticking up from the bed". Otherwise 20 dudes will show up.
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CD Mills 1 month ago
One of my BILs is like this. My late husband and I had two 20-gallon aquariums and were telling my dad about our fish. My BIL started asking lots of questions about aquariums and when we went back over there a few months later they had to show us their entire room of aquariums! He was bragging about having the most expensive equipment, the best filters and lights and owning very expensive and exotic fish breeds. I'm over here all, "I just like to watch my little school of Tetras swim around." But yeah, you spent a lot of money and have more and better-quality fish stuff than we do. Good job.
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TotallyNOTAFox 1 month ago (edited)
" I don't shiver because it's cold, I'm shaking in anger because it isn't colder!"
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Doug Moyer 1 month ago
The men that I see the most wearing sleeveless shirts are a gay couple. But they've never encountered hair removal lotion. Maybe these 'alphas' just want to emulate Kevin and Garret... Super nice guys, I'd rather hang out with them then with the type of guys being roasted in this list.
#56
Mel in Georgia 1 month ago
My son drove my cast-off Prius for years. He had a sticker on it that said, "Cool Prius ... said no one." 😆
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Michael Largey 1 month ago
Yes. He went into his dad's real estate business because no one else would ever hire him. Racist homophobic narcissist bully.
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What do you think ?
Jenna Kay 1 month ago
Well, this was exactly what I expected ... dull, humourless, and not even close to reality.
Michael Largey 1 month ago
Yes, the men depicted are precisely as you describe.
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Jac Carr 1 month ago (edited)
Even the guy who "invented" it confirmed years ago that it was based on incorrect data; he's still trying to get all copies of his book removed from sale and is gutted by how it turned out
Load More Replies... General Anaesthesia 1 month ago
"The United States-based ‘SecureBros’ account ... has been up and running for over a decade. It was created back in May 2016." - Bored Panda, November 1, 2025.
Apatheist Account2 1 month ago
BP struggles with the concept of time. They think 12 year-old posts are recent.
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Apatheist Account2 1 month ago (edited)
The "LMAO" really don't make them funny. Not sure if "Home of Sexuals" is deliberate or just avoiding censors.
Jenna Kay 1 month ago
Well, this was exactly what I expected ... dull, humourless, and not even close to reality.
Michael Largey 1 month ago
Yes, the men depicted are precisely as you describe.
Load More Replies... Jac Carr 1 month ago (edited)
Even the guy who "invented" it confirmed years ago that it was based on incorrect data; he's still trying to get all copies of his book removed from sale and is gutted by how it turned out
Load More Replies... General Anaesthesia 1 month ago
"The United States-based ‘SecureBros’ account ... has been up and running for over a decade. It was created back in May 2016." - Bored Panda, November 1, 2025.
Apatheist Account2 1 month ago
BP struggles with the concept of time. They think 12 year-old posts are recent.
Load More Replies... Apatheist Account2 1 month ago (edited)
The "LMAO" really don't make them funny. Not sure if "Home of Sexuals" is deliberate or just avoiding censors.
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