I want to open up to you guys about some things I deal with, in hopes that I can help other people who feel the same way and that maybe I’ll hear some impactful advice.

I deal with short and long periods of extremely low confidence and self-esteem. That’s not to say

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I don’t experience periods of high confidence because I definitely do, especially when my environment is healthy. I just struggle a lot in these times of low self-esteem. During these moments my mind convinces me that almost every living person is “better” than me, and

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that they are all better choices than me. I experience intense fears of being replaced and abandoned by friends, partners, etc. because everywhere they look is someone better than me, or at least that’s what my brain tells me. I’m pretty sure this is the result of my

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parents and other relatives using shame as a tool to control me and bullying that I experienced often in school, as well as some past abusive romantic relationships. You can probably see why I sometimes feel like I’m at the bottom of the barrel of damaged goods. I was

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conditioned to feel that way. I’m saving up to be able to afford therapy and have been in successful counseling in the past, but other than therapy, do you all have any words of wisdom or advice for not letting shame and insecurity be such a driving force in my life? Tysm!

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Advice *other* than therapy please. I appreciate the therapy advice but like I said I already plan on going when I can afford it, but right now that’s not an option.