How can I "feel worthy" yet not come across as proud?

Just remember to have respect for other's opinions and to treat them the way you would want to be treated even when you don't agree. Take time to practice in your mind how you'll respond first, so you aren't acting on impulse and raw emotion because you could say things you'd regret. Having a soft demeanor together with confidence is an excellent display of emotional strength and can be very powerful. You don't feel the need to yell back or justify yourself to anyone and you'll appear to be so confident that you're unshakable. At the same time you can choose to remain polite and friendly and take other's opinions into consideration. You will not not need others approval to feel confident. It is only a sign of weakness to those who are more ignorant. But, again, if you are truely confident that won't matter-you do not need to flaunt your confidence to prove yourself to others. If someone does try to take advantage of you, then you let them know politely that you find their behavior unacceptable and explain why. People won't take advantage of you if you don't let them. When listening to other people just remind yourself that their opinions are just opinions and have respect enough to hear them out even if they are wrong. It's okay to disagree, and to have an opinion of your own, just remember to be respectful of others opinions and to disagree tactfully. Don't be too hard on yourself, we all get carried away sometimes and your friends have probably done the same thing themselves. Hope this helps.