i wish i had the answer sorry i dont but wanted to let you know your not alone i understand how you feel ive had to cut my mum out of my life again as she abuses me deeply. have you ever tried saying affirmantions to yourself? sometimes it helps. hugs

I am with you! Growing up and still right now.....my stepmother has put me down and criticized me, not once...but EVERY time she sees me! Within 20 seconds, she will make a negative comment. Now that I have matured....I have the attitude that her opinion means nothing to me!

I sure wish that I knew. Maybe on this journey we can find answers and share them with one another. I will say that one thing that I've noticed about confident people, is that they have good people in their lives, cheering them on and lifting them up. They also have people around that show them what's good about them. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we have good qualities, despite what we have been told in the past by others or what we think of ourselves. This site is my support and I have received such beautiful compliments, even appreciation from others. I'm hoping that this will, in part, help me see the positive things about myself and get me started on a path to stop the self loathing I've done for such a long time. I have thatvhope for you and everyone here that shares this undortunate struggle.

Hello Funpartner - Sorry to hear about the negativity you experienced growing up. You can Learn to Love Yourself but it takes practice, practice and more practice. Here is a link which I found amongst a few others regarding loving yourself. There are additional things on the same site on finding compassion for yourself, etc.

http://www.wikihow.com/Love-Yourself

http://www.wellbeingalignment.com/how-to-love-yourself.html#sthash.vruURM2a.dpbs

http://www.soul-expressions-abuse-recovery.com/Healing-Your-Inner-Child.html

Maybe these will give you and others here a few ideas and steps to take for loving you for who you are!! We all deserve love but we all don't get it!!