On several occasions while growing up, I got a lot of advice from elders and adults around me, and one of the most common pieces of advice was the need for me to be modest and practice modesty in everything I do, and over the years I've tried my best to stick to that advice as best as I can. But then after many interactions with different people, I can't help but wonder what modesty actually means, and the reason for my confusion is due to the fact that people tend to read different meanings into the word, and in this article I'd like to start my understanding of the word "modest."
To be truthful, the first meaning I read to the word "modest" was when I was much younger and got advice to be so, was that I should be modern and basically reinvent myself to the point where I move with the present trend and innovations evolution, and even though my understanding of the word has changed, I still think my definition of the word "modest" wasn't actually wrong; it just wasn't the fully baked meaning the word entails. Growing up now, I've come to the understanding that modesty has to do with being humble in everything that has to do with us, be it our appearance, achievement, or general attitude about ourselves, meaning we don't boast nor show off to attract unnecessary attention.
That being modest meant being humble doesn't mean you shouldn't chase after growth or get anything you need; it only means doing it in an appropriate manner that doesn't make others feel less about themselves. It means being satisfied with what you've got without rubbing it off on others around you. Take, for instance, modesty in character and personality; it simply means not being arrogant but humble. Even with your ability, you stay humble and do not try to exaggerate your abilities just to make yourself stand out.
Aside the fact that modesty is associated with character, it's also associated with appearance in my opinion, and that's why I said I don't think those who think it has to do with appearance are wrong. I mean when you dressed or behave well, you can as well be refer to as being modest, unlike those who do in an inappropriate manner, so dressing in either a cultural regalia, religious attires can be deemed as being modest, same way someone who exhibit amazing personal value would be seen in the same light, so basically being humble even in our clothings.
A typical example of being modest can be associated with a student who went to a competition and came first in it; such a student can be said to be modest because rather than bragging about their intelligence during their speech, they instead simply thanked their teacher and classmates for helping them succeed. The same can be associated with a player who won a prestigious award and thanked their coach and teammates rather than taking all the glory like they could do it all by themselves.
In a nutshell, if I were to narrow down my understanding of the word "modest" or the lifestyle of modesty, I'd say it is all about being respectful, humility, self-restraint, and the like, and it's worth noting that when we say someone is modest, it doesn't only have to do with how they view themselves but also how they present themselves to others.
All photos are mine.