How to overcome low self-esteem?
I'm a 17 year old guy and i need some help. I'm always comparing myself to others, and it brings me down a lot. It seems like everyone better than me. I'm always putting myself down. I'm just very negative with myself. My parents and friends always say that i'm too hard on myself, but i'm just so used to doing it i do it without even thinking about it. I also haven't dated a girl before because i don't feel like im worth being with. So i have two questions. 1. What makes someone start feeling like this?, and 2. How do i stop feeling like this?
Comments
This isn't easy but accept your self.
What causes it is trying to meet other people's expectations and fitting in and not being able to do so.
Guess what? You are not like every one else. Living up to what every one wants you to do is something only a clone can do, and I bet you ain't a clone. Best way to fit in is figure out what you are good at and focus on that. Focus what you what you are bad at and don't do those things. Figure out your uniqueness and use it to your advantage, despite what others think. It is much better to be laughed at 1st when you don't do what people expect of you and be praised for finishing strong then the other way around.
Some people have been told things when they were younger that just stuck with them. Even if someone was just playing around and joked about weight, or glasses, or acne, etc. Some people were just born like that. They believe that social status is everything, and base all of their decisions on what other people think. Most teenagers are more self-conscious than they want others to believe. Even the most popular kids have points when they have low self-esteem because they feel like it's their duty to keep that popularity status. As for the dating situation, everyone is going to get turned down, but that's mainly compatibility issues. The main way to stop having low self esteem is to realize that you are not the only teenager going through this. And although it sounds cliche, you have to think in 5 years will the issues that I am concerned about now even matter?
I hope you can build up your self confidence again, good luck!