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Do You Like Yourself? Your Thoughts are Welcome!

blondguy
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Everybody and new posters especially:-)

I have had anxiety since 1983 and depression from 1997. There is always someone that says 'You have to Love Yourself' before recovery. When people are suffering from anxiety/depression this may be the last 'advice' they really need. This is only my experience when I am 'advised to love myself' to rebuild my life. I have heard the following from people that cant 'love themselves' which is fair enough as I am a person that cant either. Your thoughts will help me and others learn from your point of view. I can only be 'gentle' to myself to heal...not love.

  • Why should I love myself if I dont in the first place?
  • I am in a dark place, how can I love myself?
  • I dont deserve to love myself
  • I am depressed...How can I love myself?
  • I have mega anxiety attacks..what is there to love about myself?
  • I hate myself and what I stand for...why should I?
  • I love my partner more...I will care about myself 'later'

When people have depression/anxiety/denial they dont need to be counseled with ' love yourself'. Thats a huge ask.

I dont need to climb Mt Everest by trying to love myself when I cant. It can be an unrealistic and even silly target to achieve having depression

I just prefer to be 'gentle' to myself. Same results and way less stress 🙂 Your thoughts/opinions are more than welcome

Thankyou so much

Paul

4,021 Replies 4,021

Ggrand
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hello Dear Quirky,

 

No, sweet lady you cannot call your your life problems trivial, at a young age those words spoken to us/you have a very big impact on our lives both then and now…It’s really hard to re train our brain from things we’ve heard and accepted in our younger age….its been drummed into us from an early learning age and it doesn’t really ever go away, the words and how they shaped our adult life….

 

Quirky, you have done amazing in life…you owned and operated a book store, that takes a lot of intelligence and dedication….you’re here on the forums helping many many people who feel they are lost and want to give up on life….also you’re volunteering your time to a charity shop….absolutely no hopefulness here…..or clumsy, disorganised at all….you done and are still doing these things….these are the things you should be thinking of….you proved them wrong with the things your passionate about doing…helping others💜..and that’s beautiful, worthwhile and you give hope to people who need it….

 

Believing in ourselves is very important….unfortunately it’s something that our younger self can take away from us..living each day in the moment and the best we can is so important to try to do….We are not at all who/ what people have said we were/are…We are us, we are unique and we try each day to be the best version of us…Dear Quirky you’re caring, compassion, inspirational and have a beautiful soul…I really do hope that you like yourself, we all like you for those qualities and I’m sure, untold, here on the forums, you have done, helped lots more people throughout your life….

 

My kindest thoughts with my care and hugs everyone…🌹🤗🦋🍀.

Grandy..

 

 

quirkywords
Community Champion
Community Champion

Paul Grandy and everyone

paul I do hope you are being gentle with yourself as you have had many challenges and grief in last few years.This is always one of my go to threads.

Grandy 

thanks for your thoughts from a couple of months ago. I know you are going through a difficult ime.

I send my kind thoughts to everyone who needs support.