Hey axkj,
I have been there. But know that you are very IMPORTANT!! And that you are a GREAT person. Remember to always LOVE YOU!! Repeat statement of affirmations to your self everyday!!! And don't forget we are HERE for YOU!!

I am the process of climbing out my hole...so we can make the journey together!!

We got your back! Try to think of them correcting as them trying to help you succeed not keep you down. No one is perfect and we all do the best we can. There will be failures but don't let them define you. You are enough and you are special. You got this

I can definitely understand how constant corrections can become incredibly tiring. My mom will often come into my room solely to criticize three different things about it then leave. My dad too is of the opinion that praise is "damaging" and that by always pointing out what I'm doing wrong I'll improve more. It can get overwhelming, especially when they refuse to correct these views.
Figure out which parts of their expectations are unachievable to you and be a bit more lenient to yourself on those. And when you achieve something, congratulate yourself. You don't have to wait for others to congratulate you, though it certainly helps. It's gonna feel weird at first but if you keep seriously doing it those feelings of satisfaction and encouragement will eventually come.

Instead off looking at it as them putting you down, flip it around for your own mental sake. Constructive criticism. Our generation grew up hearing it as a way to strive for better. It wasn't taken as belittling. I know it might feel that way to you but you can change the way it feels by telling yourself it is a positive. Especially if they aren't going to change it, you will have to change it's meaning to yourself.

I like what Scaredandafraid wrote above.
When my parents were disapointed with me, which was all the time, they'd say to me "WHY can't you be like your sister, Josie?" Josie was Ms. Perfect. I got so tired of hearing it and their put-downs that I rebelled. Yes it became a positive for me. I became MUCH better and successful than Josie!

I think that's that older generations mentality. I was the same way. I used that "negative" perception and strived to work harder, try harder, learn more etc. Not for them but for myself. Don't ever live your life for someone else. Make yourself stronger better and smarter for your own benefit. Be proud of yourself

Hello axkj!

I once had a dog that I loved so much that I fed him more then his little body could handle because I thought that love was giving him all the food he wanted. I ended up giving him pancratitus. He survived after a trip to the vet who told me right from wrong.

That is what your parents are doing to you. They love you so much that they are giving you too much information by correcting you all the time. They believe they are doing the right thing but like my dad use to tell me, "We all make mistakes, that's why they put erasers on pencils".

We are in this life to learn and we learn from the bad as well as the good. That's what life is. The contrast is what teaches us. So I try to turn everything into a learning experience and be forgiving of others including myself and I find that I enjoy life alot more that way.

Hang in there, my friend.

God Bless

What concerns me in particular about this post is that you say that you "punish yourself " what do you mean by punishment?

To answer @joannakukic it isn't all that serious. I tend to take odd jobs that people don't want to do, probably because I think it makes me helpful... Also I have this unhealthy habit of getting trapped in an awful mental state where I go through all the examples of when I was useless. I feel like other people do that too though... maybe.

I like to say thanks for all the advice and support. It really makes a difference. I understand in theory all the things you guys are suggesting but I have been finding it hard to change my thinking. Something that has helped me and I hope might help you is that it is better to encourage good things than to critique the bad. But not everyone thinks like that. Is change always necessary?

AX, don't live your life for others, live it for yourself. You are always going to make mistakes, just learn from them and move on, and it does not matter what others think. There was only one perfect person ever on this earth and He could walk on water. Believe in yourself and don't worry about what anyone else believes or thinks, they don't have to walk in your shoes.

axkj, just follow your heart and do what makes you happy. and don't worry about what others think of you. Follow your passion weather it be music or sports, or painting or whatever it is that brings you enjoyment in life. If you can do that, then you will have a happy life.

God Bless

Hello! You aren't alone here! You can share whatever you want to talk about.I would suggest to try to get out and perhaps get involved in volunteer work or hobbies which interests you and you will meet others with your same interests. Right now you may be alone but if you keep taking one minute at a time and you will meet the exact other for you,but in the meantime you have to keep living for the moment till your exact other comes along

I know how that feels. I'm here if you want to talk.

You are not alone. Would be glad to share from my experience and direct you to some helpful tools.
You mentioned the Lord. Are you involved with your local church? There was a very precious lady who helped support me, noticed, and prayed with and for me when things were tough for me. I also sought the help of a counselor. Maybe that would be helpful for you as well? For me, the counselor recommended that some things be discussed/dealt with in my family too. Maybe a counselor would be able to help you sort out the same?