EET54 - What Makes You Feel Proud?

 

Anna: Hello everyone, and welcome back to Everyday English Talk - the podcast where you can practice real, simple English for everyday life. I’m Anna.

Ben: And I’m Ben! Thanks for joining us today. Maybe you’re listening while you’re walking, cooking, studying… or just taking a short break. Wherever you are, we’re really happy you’re here.

Anna: Today’s topic is a very warm and positive one. We’re going to talk about feeling proud.

Ben: Yes - feeling proud means you feel happy and good about something you did… or about who you are.

Anna: And when we say “feeling proud,” we don’t mean only big success, like winning a prize or getting a promotion.

Ben: That’s right. Sometimes, feeling proud comes from small things in daily life.

Anna: For example, you might feel proud when you finish something you started… even if it was not easy.

Ben: Or when you try something new - like speaking English, even when you feel a little nervous.

Anna: Feeling proud can also come from effort, not just results. You don’t have to be perfect.

Ben: Yes. Trying, learning, and not giving up - those things are worth feeling proud of.

Anna: So before we go on, let’s ask you a question.

Ben: Think about this for a moment: When was the last time you felt proud of yourself?

Anna: Maybe it was today. Maybe it was last week. Or maybe it was a very small moment - but it still mattered to you.

Ben: In today’s episode, we’ll share some personal stories, talk about different kinds of pride, and help you practice talking about this feeling in English.

Anna: So relax, listen, and think about your own experiences.

Ben: Let’s get started.

 

Anna: So, when we talk about feeling proud, it’s not always about big success. Very often, it comes from small wins in daily life - things you do for yourself.

Ben: Yes. These are personal achievements. And here’s something important: a personal achievement doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be perfect. And it doesn’t have to be something other people clap for.

Anna: Exactly. Sometimes, the best achievements are quiet. Only you know how hard it was.

Ben: For example, maybe you finally finished something you kept delaying. Or maybe you did something you were scared to do.

Anna: Let’s share some real examples. Ben, what is something you’ve done recently that made you feel proud?

Ben: Hmm… okay. I felt proud recently because I completed a small personal goal. I started a simple routine: every day, I studied English speaking for ten minutes.

Anna: Ten minutes doesn’t sound long, but doing it every day is not easy.

Ben: That’s right. The first few days were easy because I felt excited. But after one week, I felt tired. I wanted to skip it.

Anna: That’s the hard part - when the excitement is gone.

Ben: Exactly. But I told myself, “Just ten minutes. You can do it.” And I kept going. After two weeks, I noticed something: speaking felt a little easier. I didn’t stop as much. I didn’t panic when I forgot a word.

Anna: That’s a real achievement. Because it’s not just about English. It’s about discipline and consistency.

Ben: Yes. And it made me feel proud because I didn’t need a perfect plan. I just started, and I stayed with it.

Anna: I love that. For me, I felt proud of something simple too. I learned a new skill in daily life. I used to be very messy at home. My desk was always full of papers and random things.

Ben: I can imagine.

Anna: But recently, I decided to change. I started cleaning my desk for five minutes every night before bed. Just five minutes.

Ben: That sounds realistic.

Anna: Yes. And after two weeks, my room looked better. But the best part was my feeling. I felt calmer. I felt more in control. And I thought, “Wow… I can actually build a good habit.”

Ben: That’s a great example. Sometimes feeling proud is not about doing more. It’s about living better.

Anna: Exactly. And listeners, pride can also come from learning something new. Maybe you learned to cook one simple dish. Maybe you learned how to use a new app. Or maybe you learned one English sentence and used it in real life.

Ben: Yes! For example, maybe you said, “Can you say that again, please?” in a real conversation. That’s a small thing, but it’s powerful - because you used English in the real world.

Anna: Another type of achievement is finishing a small project. It can be very simple: finishing a short course, reading a small book, or completing a to-do list you’ve been avoiding.

Ben: And sometimes, your achievement is emotional. Maybe you became more patient. Maybe you learned to say “no” politely. Maybe you stopped comparing yourself to other people.

Anna: That’s true. Those achievements are invisible, but they are very meaningful.

Ben: So listeners, here’s a reminder: don’t wait for big success to feel proud. Look at your small steps. Your small progress is real progress.

Anna: Now it’s your turn. Take a moment and think.

Ben: What is one personal achievement you feel proud of recently?

Anna: It can be this week, this month, or even today. Something you did. Something you improved. Something you kept doing, even when it was not easy.

Ben: And if you want, share your answer in the comments. Your story might inspire someone else.

Anna: And to help you talk about your answer more clearly, let’s quickly review five keywords we used in this part.

Ben: Yes! We’ll explain each word in a simple way, and we’ll give you easy examples you can copy.

Anna: First word: achievement. An achievement is something you finish or succeed in doing.

Ben: It can be big or small. For example: “My achievement this month is finishing a short English course.”

Anna: Or “My achievement today is cleaning my room.”

Ben: Even small achievements count.

Anna: Second word: habit. A habit is something you do again and again. You do it regularly.

Ben: For example: “My good habit is drinking water every morning.”

Anna: Or “I have a habit of reading for ten minutes before bed.”

Ben: Habits can help you feel proud because they show you’re improving.

Anna: Third word: effort. Effort means trying hard - even when it’s difficult.

Ben: For example: “Learning English takes effort.”

Anna: Or “I made a lot of effort to wake up early this week.”

Ben: Sometimes you don’t get perfect results, but your effort is still something to be proud of.

Anna: Fourth word: progress. Progress means you are getting better little by little.

Ben: For example: “I’m making progress in speaking.”

Anna: Or “Last month I was shy, but now I can speak more. That’s progress.”

Ben: Progress is not always fast - but it’s real.

Anna: Fifth word: discipline. Discipline means you can keep doing something, even when you don’t feel like it.

Ben: For example: “I use discipline to study English every day.”

Anna: Or “My discipline is doing five minutes of practice every night.”

Ben: Discipline helps you build good habits - and good habits lead to achievements.

Anna: Quick practice, listeners! Choose one word: achievement, habit, effort, progress, or discipline.

Ben: And make one sentence about your life.

Anna: Then share it in the comments - we’d love to read it.

 

Anna: You know, Ben… sometimes we feel proud not because we “won”… but because we didn’t give up.

Ben: Yes. That kind of pride feels deeper. It’s not loud. But it’s real.

Anna: Exactly. Because challenges are part of life. And when you go through something hard, even a small step matters.

Ben: Right. Overcoming challenges doesn’t always mean you solved everything. Sometimes it just means you kept going.

Anna: For example, maybe you had a bad week. You felt tired. You wanted to stop. But you still tried again the next day.

Ben: Or maybe you failed once… but you didn’t quit. That’s a big thing.

Anna: Ben, can you share a challenge you faced - and how you kept going?

Ben: Hmm… okay. I’ll share something simple, but honest. I used to feel really nervous speaking English with strangers.

Anna: Like ordering food? Talking to a cashier?

Ben: Yes. Even that. My heart would beat fast. I would think too much. And then I would stay silent.

Anna: That’s very common. So what changed?

Ben: I started doing one small thing: I forced myself to say one sentence, even if it was not perfect.

Anna: What kind of sentence?

Ben: Simple ones. Like: “Hi.” “Can I have this, please?” “Thank you.” That’s it.

Anna: That’s a great start.

Ben: At first, it felt scary. I made mistakes. Sometimes my pronunciation was not clear. Sometimes I repeated myself.

Anna: But you still did it.

Ben: Yes. And after a few times, something changed. I stopped panicking. I started feeling more normal.

Anna: That’s overcoming a challenge. Not because you became perfect… but because you kept practicing through the fear.

Ben: Exactly. And that’s why I felt proud.

Anna: I have a story too. My challenge was staying consistent with a healthy habit.

Ben: Oh? Like exercising?

Anna: Yes. I wanted to exercise regularly. But every time I started, I stopped after three days.

Ben: That’s so real.

Anna: I know. And then I felt disappointed. I told myself, “Why can’t I keep going?”

Ben: So what did you do?

Anna: I changed my plan. I stopped trying to do a big workout. I started with something small - just a 10-minute walk.

Ben: That sounds much easier to continue.

Anna: Yes. And when I missed one day, I didn’t say, “I failed.” I said, “Okay. I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Ben: That mindset is powerful.

Anna: After two weeks, I felt proud. Not because I became super healthy… but because I didn’t quit like before.

Ben: Exactly. Sometimes the proud moment is not the result. It’s the decision to continue.

Anna: And listeners, your challenge can be different.

Ben: Maybe your challenge is studying after work.

Anna: Or waking up early. Or saving money. Or learning to cook.

Ben: Or maybe your challenge is emotional - like feeling shy, overthinking, or being afraid of making mistakes.

Anna: But if you keep going, even slowly, that is progress.

Ben: Yes. And it’s okay if the result is not perfect. Effort still counts.

Anna: Let’s give listeners some simple sentences they can use.

Ben: For example: “I wanted to give up, but I didn’t.”

Ben: “It was hard, but I kept going.”

Ben: “I’m proud of myself for trying again.”

Anna: These sentences are simple, but they carry strong meaning.

Ben: And they help you talk about real life in English.

Anna: So listeners, here’s a question for you. Take a moment and think.

Ben: What is one challenge you faced recently… and how did you keep going?

Anna: Even if it was small. Even if you’re still working on it.

Ben: If you want, share your answer in the comments. Your story might inspire someone else.

Anna: And to help you talk about challenges more clearly, let’s quickly review five keywords we used in this part.

Ben: Yes! We’ll explain each word in a simple way, and we’ll give you easy examples you can copy.

Anna: First word: challenge. A challenge is something difficult in your life.

Ben: For example: “Speaking English is a challenge for me.”

Anna: Second word: overcome. Overcome means you win against something difficult.

Ben: For example: “I overcame my fear of speaking by practicing every day.”

Anna: Third word: give up. Give up means you stop trying.

Ben: For example: “I wanted to give up, but I didn’t.”

Anna: Fourth word: keep going. Keep going means you continue, even when it’s hard.

Ben: For example: “I felt tired, but I kept going.”

Anna: Fifth word: proud. Proud means you feel happy about your effort or progress.

Ben: For example: “I’m proud of myself because I tried again.”

Anna: Quick practice, listeners! Choose one word: challenge, overcome, give up, keep going, or proud.

Ben: And make one sentence about your life.

Anna: Then share it in the comments - we’d love to read it.

 

Anna: You know, Ben… we’ve talked about achievements and challenges. But sometimes, what makes us proud is not something we do.

Ben: Yes. Sometimes we feel proud because of who we are.

Anna: Exactly. Being proud of who you are means you respect yourself. You see your good qualities.

Ben: And this kind of pride is important, because it helps you feel confident from the inside.

Anna: Right. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about becoming a better person, little by little.

Ben: Anna, what is something about your personality that you feel proud of?

Anna: Hmm… I think I’m proud that I’m a kind person.

Ben: That’s a great one. What does that look like in daily life?

Anna: For example, if my friend feels sad, I listen. I don’t judge. I just stay with them and support them.

Ben: That matters a lot.

Anna: And I’m also proud that I’m learning to be more patient.

Ben: Oh, patience is hard.

Anna: Yes. In the past, I got upset quickly when things were slow. But now, I try to breathe and stay calm.

Ben: That’s growth.

Anna: What about you, Ben? What are you proud of in yourself?

Ben: I think I’m proud that I’m honest.

Anna: That’s a strong quality.

Ben: Yes. I try to speak the truth, but in a gentle way. I don’t like pretending.

Anna: That’s very important in relationships.

Ben: And recently, I’m proud that I’m taking better care of myself.

Anna: Like what?

Ben: Like sleeping earlier, eating better, and saying “no” when I need rest.

Anna: That’s huge. A lot of people feel guilty when they say no.

Ben: Yes. But I learned that saying no doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. It means you are protecting your energy.

Anna: I love that. And listeners, being proud of who you are can include many things.

Ben: Maybe you’re proud that you’re responsible. You do what you say you will do.

Anna: Or you’re proud that you’re brave. Even when you’re scared, you still try.

Ben: Or maybe you’re proud that you’re more mature now. You don’t react like before. You think first.

Anna: Yes. Sometimes we grow quietly. And one day, we suddenly notice: “Oh… I changed.”

Ben: And that can be a proud moment too.

Anna: But we also want to say something important.

Ben: What is it?

Anna: Being proud doesn’t mean you think you’re better than other people.

Ben: Right. Being proud means you can say, “I’m not perfect, but I’m trying. And I respect myself.”

Anna: Exactly. It’s a healthy pride.

Ben: Let’s give a few simple examples learners can use.

Anna: For example: “I’m proud of myself because I’m kind.”

Anna: “I’m proud of myself because I’m honest.”

Anna: “I’m proud of myself because I’m becoming more patient.”

Ben: And you can also say:

Ben: “I’m proud of myself for taking care of my health.”

Ben: “I’m proud of myself for staying calm.”

Ben: “I’m proud of myself for learning to accept my weaknesses.”

Anna: That last one is important. Because everyone has weaknesses.

Ben: Yes. But when you accept them and still keep going, that’s strength.

Anna: Now, listeners, it’s your turn.

Ben: Think about this question:

Anna: What is one thing about your personality that you feel proud of?

Ben: It can be something simple. Maybe you’re helpful. Maybe you’re hardworking. Maybe you’re a good friend.

Anna: And if you want, write one sentence and share it in the comments.

Anna: And to help you talk about this part more clearly, let’s quickly review five keywords.

Ben: Yes! Simple meanings, simple examples.

Anna: First word: kind. Kind means you care about other people and you try to help.

Ben: For example: “She is kind. She helps her friends.”

Anna: Second word: honest. Honest means you tell the truth.

Ben: For example: “He is honest. He doesn’t lie.”

Anna: Third word: patient. Patient means you can wait and stay calm.

Ben: For example: “I’m trying to be patient in traffic.”

Anna: Fourth word: mature. Mature means you think and act in a grown-up way.

Ben: For example: “He is more mature now. He doesn’t get angry easily.”

Anna: Fifth word: accept. Accept means you say “okay” to something - you don’t fight it.

Ben: For example: “I accept my weaknesses, and I try to improve.”

Anna: Quick practice, listeners! Choose one word: kind, honest, patient, mature, or accept.

Ben: And make one sentence about yourself.

Anna: Then share it in the comments - we’d love to read it.

 

Anna: You know, Ben… we’ve talked about being proud of ourselves.

Ben: Yes. Our achievements, our challenges, and our character.

Anna: But pride is not only about “me.” Sometimes, we feel proud of other people too.

Ben: Exactly. When someone we love works hard, grows, or does something meaningful… we can feel proud of them.

Anna: And it feels warm. It feels like happiness in your heart.

Ben: Yes. It’s like you’re cheering for them, even quietly.

Anna: Ben, who is someone you feel proud of?

Ben: Hmm… I feel proud of my mother.

Anna: Why?

Ben: Because she is very strong. She works hard every day, and she still takes care of our family. Even when she’s tired, she doesn’t complain much.

Anna: That’s a good reason.

Ben: And she’s always learning. She’s not afraid to try new things. That inspires me.

Anna: I love that. For me, I feel proud of my best friend.

Ben: What happened?

Anna: She used to be very shy. She didn’t like speaking in public. But recently, she gave a short speech at work.

Ben: Wow. That’s a big step.

Anna: Yes. She was nervous, but she did it anyway. When she told me, I felt proud of her.

Ben: Because she overcame fear.

Anna: Exactly. Sometimes we’re proud not because someone is “perfect”… but because they are brave and they keep going.

Ben: You know, we can also feel proud of friends who improve little by little.

Anna: Yes. Like someone who starts exercising, or learns a new skill, or studies every day.

Ben: Even small progress can make you proud.

Anna: Also, sometimes we feel proud of someone’s personality.

Ben: Like what?

Anna: Like being kind. Being honest. Being responsible.

Ben: Yes. For example, I feel proud of my younger brother because he is very responsible. If he promises something, he does it.

Anna: That’s a great quality.

Ben: And he’s helpful too. If someone needs help, he doesn’t ignore them.

Anna: That’s really nice.

Anna: Listeners, maybe you feel proud of your parents.

Ben: Or your partner. Or your child. Or your teacher.

Anna: Or maybe a close friend who is trying hard to change their life.

Ben: And it doesn’t have to be a famous success.

Anna: Yes. Sometimes you feel proud because someone is doing their best.

Ben: Because you can see their effort.

Anna: And when you feel proud of someone, it can also motivate you.

Ben: True. It can make you think, “If they can do it, I can do it too.”

Anna: Let’s give some simple example sentences learners can use.

Ben: Okay. “I’m proud of my mom because she works hard.”

Ben: “I’m proud of my friend because she didn’t give up.”

Anna: And you can also say:

Ben: “I’m proud of my brother because he is responsible.”

Ben: “I’m proud of my teammate because she improved a lot.”

Ben: Simple sentences, but strong meaning.

Anna: Now listeners, it’s your turn.

Ben: Think about this question: Who are you proud of, and why?

Anna: Choose one person. Just one.

Ben: And answer with one simple sentence: “I’m proud of ___ because ___.”

Anna: If you want, share it in the comments. We’d love to read it.

Anna: And to help you talk about feeling proud of others, let’s review five keywords.

Ben: Simple meaning, simple examples.

Anna: First word: proud of. Proud of means you feel happy about someone’s effort or success.

Ben: For example: “I’m proud of my friend.”

Anna: Second word: support. Support means you help someone and stay with them.

Ben: For example: “I support my friend when she feels nervous.”

Anna: Third word: inspire. Inspire means someone gives you motivation. They make you want to do better.

Ben: For example: “My mom inspires me to work hard.”

Anna: Fourth word: responsible. Responsible means you do what you should do. You can be trusted.

Ben: For example: “He is responsible. He always finishes his work.”

Anna: Fifth word: effort. Effort means trying hard.

Ben: For example: “I’m proud of his effort, even if he’s not perfect.”

Anna: Quick practice, listeners! Choose one word: proud of, support, inspire, responsible, or effort.

Ben: Make one sentence about someone in your life.

Anna: Then share it in the comments - we’d love to read it.

 

Anna: Okay, listeners… now it’s your turn.

Ben: Yes. This part is for you to reflect and practice speaking.

Anna: Don’t worry about perfect grammar. Just speak slowly and clearly.

Ben: And remember - even one simple sentence is good practice.

Anna: First question: What makes you feel proud of yourself?

Ben: It can be a small achievement, a good habit, or a challenge you didn’t give up on.

Anna: Let’s give some sample answers.

Ben: For example: “I feel proud of myself because I study English every day.”

Ben: “I feel proud of myself because I wake up early.”

Ben: “I feel proud of myself because I didn’t give up.”

Anna: Now pause and answer. Say your answer out loud.

Ben: Ready? One… two… three… pause and speak.

Anna: Second question: Who are you proud of, and why?

Ben: Choose one person - your mom, your dad, your friend, your teacher, your partner… anyone.

Anna: Here are some sample answers:

Anna: “I’m proud of my mother because she works hard.”

Anna: “I’m proud of my friend because she is brave.”

Anna: “I’m proud of my brother because he is responsible.”

Ben: Now pause and answer with this simple pattern: “I’m proud of ___ because ___.”

Anna: Ready? One… two… three… pause and speak.

Ben: Third question: What challenge did you overcome recently?

Anna: This is a great question because it helps you talk about effort and growth.

Ben: Sample answers: “I overcame my fear of speaking.”

Ben: “I overcame a difficult week at work.”

Ben: “I overcame laziness and I kept practicing.”

Anna: Now you try. Use this pattern: “I overcame ___ by ___.”

Ben: One… two… three… pause and speak.

 

Anna: And that brings us to the end of today’s episode.

Ben: Yes - thank you so much for listening. Today we talked about what makes you feel proud.

Anna: We learned that pride doesn’t only come from big success. It can come from small wins, good habits, and not giving up.

Ben: We also talked about being proud of who you are - your character, your growth, and your progress.

Anna: And we talked about being proud of other people too - the ones who inspire you and make you feel warm inside.

Ben: Before you go, remember this simple sentence: “I’m proud of… because…”

Anna: Try saying it today. Just one sentence. Simple is okay.

Ben: And if you want, share your answer in the comments. We’d love to read it - and your story might inspire someone else.

Anna: Don’t forget to download the free PDF transcript and practice guide. The link is in the description.

Ben: Alright, take care of yourself… and remember to notice your small progress.

Anna: See you in the next episode!

Ben: Bye everyone!

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