Disclaimer: this humble writer’s humble defence is entirely the product of her vivid, endless and profound imagination to which she does you the honor of sharing. All with humble intent. Proceed with handfuls of salt.

Let me begin by saying this: the art of the humble brag is nothing special. It is not something to write home about, like the loud-mouthed life of the party. Nor is it something passed by, easily dismissed like the unappreciated wallflower.

Instead, the humble brag – the truly remarkable humble brag – is as such because it needs no introduction to fellow party-goers, but the party isn’t really alive without it either. If I had to compare, I’d say that the humble brag is like air.

“Air?” you say, “How on earth can it be like air?” And I tell you that the humble brag is indeed like air, because it is crucial to the everyday yet so easily overlooked, until one day it’s no longer there.

The humble brag is nothing to write home about, for who would care to write or read about air?

Truly though, the humble brag can’t be done without. Its spontaneously planned interjections of, “Oh, I’ve been there. A beautiful view from the hot air balloon,” are neatly followed by the genuine modesty of the every humble bragger: “Oh dear, didn’t I tell you? Oh, if you insist, I’ll tell you. It was nothing so special, mind,” and so on and so forth. The effortless effort to bring the conversation back to something that makes everyone sigh in awe and wonder is one of the truest skills of the humble brag.

Truly breathtaking in its truly understated worth.

The humble brag, too, is one of the kindest souls around.

Returning to the conversation that it has taken over at the insistent requests of those listening, the modest story of the hot air balloon would conclude with a slight laugh and wave of the hand, “Oh, no, no. I haven’t really been to all that many places. Only a few here and there.” The humble brag has, of course, been to that many places, but out of the kindness of its heart, has refrained from saying so. After all, who would want to listen to such arrogant boasting?

So, to not take the attention from the life of the party, the humble brag graciously tells a small white lie. It doesn’t want to steal the whole spotlight, really – maybe just the limelight.

Isn’t the humble brag just the most thoughtful person out there?

But parties aren’t your style? Well, why didn’t you say sooner? The humble brag is as diverse as it is attentive to all your needs. Whether you’re meeting professors, potential employers, industry specialists, or even your partner’s best friend and parents, dressing to impress doesn’t stop at your clothing choices. It also extends to your language and repertoire of discerning and witty responses. Toeing the line between dry and overeager, the humble brag converses to praise the other party while showing off its own acumen.

To professors, humble will laud research, lecture content and the professor’s perspectives. Its questions will link directly to its praises and ask for clarification or challenge other views. All this to impress for better grades, reference letters and a brownie point or two. Likewise, interview questions aside, at job screenings and networking events, the humble goes through similar motions until they find the perfect moment to say: “Absolutely. I really love the direction that ABC corporation is taking. Actually, I’m quite familiar with such a goal. When I worked with so and so in such and such role for however many days, months, years, I contributed this and that, which really accelerated progress on their XYZ project. Very similar to what you’re trying to achieve here.” Such a straightforward deliverance of such tasks that flows seamlessly into the conversation.

Timing is, of course, everything.

If you’re meeting your significant other’s other special people for the first time – parents, siblings, pets, what have you – espousing your excellent skills by reminiscing about that time you low-key Facebook stalked your partner to find out which mutual friend could be your wingman isn’t really the way to go. These casual scenes require more tact and a much finer balance between the humble and the brag. Accept praise for giving them truthful answers that they want to hear, but only with sufficient modesty and subtle redirection to your partner’s own achievements. After all, where would they be without you?

I see the hesitation in your eyes as you dismiss the startling power of the humble brag, dear reader. But I digress. The humble brag has kept your attention long enough.

Just remember, dear reader, the air that we breathe is just as easily dismissed and only marginally more important than the humble brag.