I don't actually choose to share ... but I will say you are REALLY doing well with these decisions ... and applied well, you are on your way out of depression.

Good, good luck to you.

I do some creative activity, like editing a movie soundtrack or compiling some family movies with music. It restores my belief that I am talented. It brings me love, peace and joy. i find it very soothing.

When I was at my worst, I let overthinking and some impossible standard of perfectionism completely box me into a corner and immobilize me. Now, I realize that beauty lies in the IM-perfections, and it's OK to fuck up; just do SOMETHING.

It seems that low self-esteem, anxiety, fear, etc. tends to strike me when I go to bed and try to fall asleep. Instead of counting sheep, I try to "count" (review) the good people I've had in my life over the years--people who believed in me even when I couldn't believe in myself, or loved me when I couldn't love myself. Focusing on positive brings love to my heart. People who can LOVE are always worth something. Your ability to love will chase those self-doubts away.

Gratitude Lists.

Good for you to take on that challenge! I am going to join you by challenging myself to believe that I am capable of doing a good job. I have two degrees and performance awards but I still somehow convince myself that I am an imposter and not as good as everyone else.

One step at a time!

My challenge started some years ago when I believed that I was stupid and would never be able to learn anything due to bullying for years, and a bullying teacher in grammar school. I challenged myself by going to college and getting all A's and B's instead of D's and F's all through my school years, believing that everyone was right and I was stupid. I proved to myself that they were wrong. My biggest challenge is with my mother at this point. She is abusive, both emotionally and mentally, and I have always let her beliefs in me, allow me to believe the same in myself. I am not saying that I have accomplished this completely, as of yet, but I am working hard on it. We are not what others believe us to be, but what we choose to believe about ourselves.
Hugs GB

My challenge has always been about feeling like I belong. One of the most severe traumas I carry has to do with sports, competition and physical activity (too long of a story to get into details).

So this year I have challenged myself to do something about it. I joined a gym last May. Took me from Jan-April to actually being able to join. Since then, my challenge has been about (a) going and staying and (b) integrating it as part of my life as something enjoyable. The first month I felt as my mother used to say "like a roach in a hens party".

I had several anxiety attacks, have made an ass of myself a couple of times, and have no clue about how to use some of the machines or what kind of workout is right for me. All I do is just go, use some of the machines I know (and feel safe using). I go with headphones, listening to audio books all the time and that helps with anxiety or distractions. By the end of July I was feeling more relaxed.

Turns out that I LOVE working out (or what I do that I call working out). I keep challenging myself, so an older gentleman stroke a conversation with me (he's been going to that gym forever and he was a boxer, so he's an icon there, everybody knows him). I felt very awkward at first, but he put me at ease. So now I have a person I say hi to when I go. I don't feel like a weirdo there anymore. It helps that is a neighborhood gym, not one of those trendy expensive gyms (nothing wrong with them, I just don't like those).

This week I have been struggling with talking to management to schedule a session with a personal trainer. I feel that I am ready to start creating a workout that works for me now that I don't feel like an alien. But I always seem to find an excuse to not do it. That's my current challenge, just ask for help and continue integrating the gym as part of my life. I do love the exercising I do and feel great with the little I do. Still, every day is a challenge.

These are great answers. It's great to hear how what people are doing to combat the negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves.

I agree with everyone, especially Living Water (great post!). LOVE always chases the meagers away. When there's no PERSON to love, I love GOD, He loves me back, and we are content.

My beliefs about myself are not negative, but true!! I get reminded of them constantly by others:-( Unable to build muscles, in spite of my efforts, have thin hair........my therapist suggested BDD--but that is for "perceived" flaws...mine are "real" ones! I cannot challenge the truth, only validate it. My therapist is all into this "just accept yourself"--which is impossible when you loathe yourself.

I'm challenging the belief that I am a failure because I am twice divorced now and infertile.

I'm challenging the belief that I need to hold together those around me.

I'm challenging the belief that I don't deserve happiness and that I can't define it for myself.

I never thought I'd graduate college.

........

Byron Katie has a book (forgot the name). That's how I turn my thoughts around. I imagine they aren't true.

This is a great thread and I wanted to respond to it when it was first created, but I am responding to it now.

I have a lot of beliefs I need to keep challenging. One of them is the belief that I'm unlikable/unlovable. I try to challenge that by reminding myself of all the people that like me and care about me.

Some things I have been able to accomplish since I joined DS that I did not thing I could

- become more independent and do things on my own
- start driving again (I've been driving for about a year now)
- now I am starting to drive to places that were too anxiety provoking to me
- going back to college
- becoming a little more comfortable/confident around others

I stay as far away from my family, as I can !!!!!

This is a great post, thanks Heidiclark. Unfortunately I cannot provide such inspiring examples of challenging my negative beliefs.

But there is the challenge in itself. I have many negative beliefs about myself. I have them all written down. I check them far too often. I re-validate them all the time.

That is my challenge, pick one and try to stop believing it is true.