Opinions on the value of self-study in teacher education are fierce. Utilising our relative perspectives as insider and outsider to this methodological approach to researching one's own teaching, the authors promote the value of self-study while simultaneously questioning certain assumptions associated with how it is typically enacted. To engage in this critique, Jason steps back from his understanding of self-study by writing analytical notes on his past, as a novice self-study researcher, and on his present, attempting to teach self-study to others, that together with his regular conversations with Oren yield an autoethnography of discontent. Analysis of this autoethnography highlights certain problematic issues with self-study, and suggests reframing its key tenets of being self-focused, seeking external validation through relationality and critical friendship, and focusing on improvement. Making these broad allowances will contribute to a more robust and inclusive paradigm, enabling self-study practitioners to professionally develop as teacher educators and researchers, and to thrive as certain kinds of fish in the academic waters.