Self esteem is something a lot of people (myself included) need to practice to get good at.

For me, I had to realize I’m insignificant to most people to start being myself more. That and doing things. Like, anything you do, whether you love it or not, is better than doomscrolling.

You probably recognize you need to practice to get good at literally anything else. Why would socializing be an exception. Don’t compare yourself to others, compare yourself to you yesterday.

My boss keeps telling me how much better I will do in the office because I will make so many more connections but she forgets that I have social anxiety and it's extremely stressful and I never connected with anyone before we started working from home. Social people just don't understand.

Gotta say, this one hits home for me.

Someone sent me a really old photo today from 9th grade with my much more handsome younger self and a cute girl with her arms wrapped around me.

Reminded me of when women used to throw themselves at me when I was that age but I was deathly afraid of doing anything. I didn't kiss my first girlfriend for a month.

The one time I had 2 promiscuous girls sleep in my bed with me in like 10th grade and I did nothing is permanently seared into my memory.

I'm 35 now and single and that just doesn't happen anymore. Not sure if it's because I aged poorly or because they're all just married with kids at this point.

Well, if it weren't for my shyness and lack of self-esteem, I wouldn't be on course to be officially more virgin than Jesus of Nazareth

On a whim I called a free therapy help line from a poster at work.

I never initiate interactions with anyone unless it's required, I only ever respond because I am terrified of ruining someone else's day by forcing them to deal with me. The idea that I might annoy or bother someone is terrifying and nauseating, so I just... don't do it.

In talking with the therapist, we made a connection between this neurotic impulse and my dysphoria. I started my transition at 29 (lol), so I have almost two decades of hating the way I look and sound (and feel and act and dress and). I suspect that I projected this dysphoria onto everyone else too, subconsciously assuming everyone else hated the way I look and sound as much as I do. Now that I'm a few years into my transition and I don't feel that way anymore, I'm slowly learning to stop projecting that onto everyone else too! Slowly. 😅

I know the feeling, most think I’m lonely but it’s the complete opposite.

-sigh- my life in a picture

All I need are video games and steam friends

https://canvas.toast.ooo is still for a few hours i think

All I need are my tavernai friends

I wish I looked like that