Self-esteem

Some of those who have posted or chatted or messaged here & at similar sites say they have low self-esteem. I know I have issues there! The others who have said they have low self-esteem seem to me to have so much talent, lots of reason for high self-esteem. But I know it's hard to see one's own good qualities, or even believe good things that others say. Can we talk about this? What makes you feel good about yourself? What makes you feel bad? What can we do for ourselves and our sisters (& brothers if any on this forum)?

What can we do to put the little divil of low self-esteem back where he belongs? And maybe see ourselves more as others see us?

I'm also thinking about pming other members about their good qualities -- I'm getting a sense of some of us through what they've done online.

thanks for your ideas. Doing something nice for myself won't be easy, but I'm going to try.

I came to the realization today that my eating disorder is born out of my need for some kind of control in my life.

I have a shitty family situation, very controlling, mentally and emotionally abusive mother and sister, and my ed is my only sacred thing.

I, of course, have very low self esteem, more so for myself as a person than my body, but they feed off each other.

My self loathing explodes out of me in the form of refusing myself food(and I freaking LOVE food), and running.

My obsessive control over my body has gotten so extreme that I remove the hair from my whole body twice a day, bathe multiple times I day, pierce and tattoo myself, and I am saving up money for a waist training corset. I've been tempted to take arsenic to make my skin even paler, but might try a bleaching lotion instead. I used to cut, but it was too obvious and my family started encroaching on my space and trying to take over control of my body, so I just hit myself now, with my fists, belts, whatever.

It's hurtful and embarrassing to get that all out, but I figure you ladies would have some understanding, or at least compassion.

Every time I try to reach out to a friend they get all weird and stop talking to me. Or try to sleep with me.

Skull, you are so insightful! I do understand, and I do have compassion.

The word "compassion" literally means "feeling with" -- and as the daughter of a controlling and sometimes emotionally abusive mother, I do feel with you.

Keep posting, and as MirrorAddict says, my pm box is always open.

Thank ladies, it's good to feel not so alone.

Sorry I haven't been on here much. The holidays, you know. I literally baked six pies in one day, and that was just ONE day. HAHA. But now Christmas is over, so I have more time. Yay time!

i have no self esteem or very little

Shawty, that's so sad . . . I think a lot of us have problems with self-esteem.

I put up a challenge for everyone to do something nice for themselves every week. I think it's good for self-esteem. So you are welcome to join in the challenge.

I got the idea from Widget's blog, http://widgetdiet.blogspot.com

Her therapist gave her the assignment of doing something nice for herself every day for a week. Every day is more thaqn I cn accomplish right now, so I'm trying for something nice once a week.

Thats a very good challange and i think its a very good start in building slef-confidence towards yourself

Thanks!

Unfortunately I seem to be the only one keeping up with it

and it gets lonely

aww i'll do it with you, need the challange