"If I insult, degrade, say negative things about myself first, no one else's insults, negative and degrading things they say about me will effect me as much!"
NO.
"If I point out my flaws first, understand them, and then try to fix them, no one else's insults, negative and degrading things they say about me will effect me as much!"
Freaking yes.
I'm a hypocrite on this one but I quite disapprove the first way of thinking. I like it when people try to improve themselves instead of degrading themselves. My mindset thinks like that almost all the time now, but I still have the insult myself habit. It's better to point out your own flaws, understand them, and try to fix them or something. Not only will you improve on yourself but I guess you'll also feel that sort of feeling that makes you understanding.
The degrade myself is just a thing I've noticed lately around others around me and I just wanted to share – or more precisely, vent – my thoughts about it.