Self image is created. It is a reflection, an accumulation of other's opinions, a consequence of living with others. For a person who is dependant on his self-image for survival, life would be like a roller coaster ride, which hits its peak when praised and hits rock bottom when there is no attention. His happiness always depends on what others think of him. Your ego is not you. Ego is a social happening that gives you a function in the society, a position in the society. And if you remain satisfied with it, you will miss the whole opportunity of finding yourself. Even for a person who has a good self-image but is not totally dependant on it, there will be ego shattering experiences, when he does not know who he is, or where he is going.  You may think you are humble, but that too is ego. One cannot drop it. It always comes back. Only one thing is possible, and that is just to watch, not just understand but realise that it is the source of all misery. When this understanding that the ego is the cause of misery becomes so deep-rooted and continuous, one day it will suddenly disappear by itself. Many may understand this concept intellectually, but only a few have the maturity to differentiate between their real self and their self-image.