Skip to main content

self-help paradox

The age-old conundrum of "people who seek self-improvement vs. people who need self-improvement" --- generally speaking, the people who are conscientious and unashamedly self-examining enough to actively seek ways to improve themselves do not really need to self-improve very much, whereas the people who truly do need to improve themselves will not admit that they even HAVE a self-inadequacy problem, and so they arrogantly/impatiently refuse to seek or accept help in improving their character or behavior (think, the infamous "getters gettin' got" conversation between Madea and Dr. Phil).
Client, to counsellor, at the outset of their weekly meeting: Breaker one-five for reality check --- come on back?
Counsellor, playing along: Yeah, go ahead, Breaker --- reading you wall-to-wall and treetop-tall.
Client: Thanks --- that's a big ten-four, good buddy. Well, I'm in the process of trying to improve myself, and so I thought I'd send a random shout-out over the waves to check my progress. I've been trying to be more sociable and patient and helpful to everyone, visualize things more from their perspective, and so on.
Counsellor: Well, eights and other good numbers to you on THAT one, good buddy --- that's certainly a positive start. Have you tried self-help books?
Client: Oh, a great BIG ten-four THERE, good buddy --- I've read at least a half-dozen of 'em cover-to-cover, and loved every page; the problem, though, is that I never seem to find any new ideas --- most everything in there is stuff I already know about and am actively practicing, so the books just reassuringly confirm the nature and wisdom of my efforts, not provide fresh perspectives for further improvement.
Counsellor: Ah... well, ten-four, good buddy --- I totally "get you" there... the old "self-help paradox", eh?? The only people who'll read those books are ones who don't need 'em!
by QuacksO February 3, 2017
mugGet the self-help paradoxmug.

Bari Mahir Paradox

A romantic and totally illogical-yet-cute theory that states: "If a boyfriend does something wrong, it's his girlfriend's fault because he belongs to her, and all his actions are influenced by her presence in his life."
Rano: "Why did you forget our date night?"

Mahir: "Because of the Bari Mahir Paradox. I'm yours, so technically... you forgot it through me."

Rano: rolls eyes but secretly loves
by Porous oblivion April 22, 2025
mugGet the Bari Mahir Paradoxmug.

Hoe Paradox

The idea that if you care about hoes you don't get any, therefore the less you care the more you get.
by hoemaker March 2, 2024
mugGet the Hoe Paradoxmug.

the Dagi paradox

When a dude is so fucking funny, that even he doesn’t know it
Joydeep once said “ this dude gaslights you so much you don’t even know that he is gaslighting you, I call it the Dagi paradox ”
by Mr. deep December 26, 2023
mugGet the the Dagi paradoxmug.

The Beyonce Paradox

The desperate need to be the more attractive one in the relationship.
"That guy from our gym is so hot, but have you seen his wife? She looks like a bear with a mop for hair, no way can he be attracted to her."

"He suffers from the Beyonce paradox! Hes only with her because he desperately needs to look better than whoever he is with."
by KJ BELAFONTE July 25, 2019
mugGet the The Beyonce Paradoxmug.

Urban Dictionary Paradox

When you try to make a joke definition of an Urban dictionary link, but it says can't contain links in the definition, so you remove the link and submit it, thinking the problem is resolved and your funny joke is through. But then it says definition must have word in it, but the word is the source of the other problem.
Human: I can't wait to joke about urbandictionary's blog page!
*Human goes to website, adds definition, writes 'funny' definition, presses submit*
Website: There was 1 error that prohibited this form from being submitted (Links)
Human: Ok then, I will remove the link.
Website: There was 1 error that prohibited this form from being submitted (Not having the word in the example)
Human: HELP ME, I AM IN THE Urban Dictionary Paradox!!!!!!!
by Trumpium March 17, 2022
mugGet the Urban Dictionary Paradoxmug.

The Bluey-weed Paradox

The paradox that results when one smokes or otherwise inhales cannabis then, as a full grown adult, proceeds to watch children shows all the while claiming it is an adult show, despite the show being designed for toddlers.
"My buddy keeps watching Bluey and smoking weed! He's fallen for the Bluey-weed paradox."
by Dr15$ November 12, 2023
mugGet the The Bluey-weed Paradoxmug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email