expression
if I do say so myself; even for me
Used when the speaker is surprised or impressed by their own action or quality, often with a self-deprecating or modest tone. Common in phrases like 自分ながらよくやった.
自分ながら、今日のプレゼンはうまくいったと思う。
If I do say so myself, I think today's presentation went well.
自分ながらあきれるほど忘れっぽい。
Even I'm amazed at how forgetful I am.
Similar meaning, but 我ながら is more common and slightly more formal/literary. 自分ながら is a bit more colloquial and personal.
Compound of 自分 (self) + ながら (while, although). The ながら here expresses a concessive or contrastive nuance, literally 'while being oneself'.