On Self-Respect

Recently I have come to feel that self-respect is a more developed/mature form of pride. But I feel strange when I come to times that I should be more childish and just enjoy life. I feel like I am throwing away my self-respect but am I really throwing it away, is what I wonder? I am beginning to feel as if my inhibitions are not a result of my not wanting to throw away self-respect but more of my not having enough self-respect to act like a fool and still know that deep down inside I am not a fool. Maybe there is a fear of losing who I am as I am decently happy at the moment and I guess I fear losing this happiness chasing another but nothing ventured, nothing gained.