Overcoming Low Self Esteem Community Group
This group is named after the book Overcoming Low Self-Esteem, A self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques by Meleanie Fennel. This group is for all of those who want to work together to drag themselves out of the daily reality that is brought about by Low Self-Esteem.
I am drowning. I don't know if I'm in the right group. A piece of me fits in all of the different groups; anxiety, depression, and even some that are not actually diagnosed. So I will begin here because I am no longer staying afloat in this water. I used to be able to fake being a normal person. I could stay in piece until escaping to fall apart once I got in my car or home. I can't anymore. I left my teaching career because I work in a state that pretty much doesn't pay you a dime to join the world of business about 5 months ago. This change has brought back that voice of long ago that reminds me that I am uncapable of learning new things, meeting new people, making new friends. I live in constant fear/dread/overanalyzing how everyone knows what a worthless, lazy human I am. That voice has never left me but I used to keep it pushed further away. Now it is all I can hear. And it's all I can hear in all walks of my life. I can't hear anything else. There is so much more to say. This is really just the tip but thought I'd start here.
You have made a step in the right direction by simply coming on here. I have found that reaching out to others...sharing our struggles and triumphs (to me) can help to remind us that there are others with the same issues and we are not alone.....and THERE IS HOPE.
I came from a dysfunctional family. I was brought up thinking it was best to be polite and well mannered , keep quiet not making any waves and if I have any problems...fix them myself or try to ignore them. I would come to hear 2 very dysfunctional people constantly beating me down many years ago.
The fact that you were a teacher should tell you that you are not the incompetent , lazy boob that you think you are. And your going from education to business is a difficult change. Business is a background where you succeed if you are a strong, confident passionate person. This is somewhere you are far from comfortable with....yet.
Try to remember where the nasty hateful words came from, all those years ago. (Probably from another with a very poor opinion of themselves) Now try to focus on positive words, the words of encouragement you so need to hear. I am sure there have been quite a few, but if you are like me, it is so much easier to believe all the hurtful negative crap .
I have come a long way but I too have my moments. This is when it is so important to reach out and share with others. Somewhere I saw it said that problems are far better if shared and dealt with your friends. (lessens the burden)