People say I'm pretty but I still have low self-esteem?

[Anonymous]

Not to sound conceited, but a lot of people say I'm pretty and beautiful. I just don't see it. I feel really ugly a lot of times, and I take really bad pictures. My boyfriend is gorgeous, but sometimes I feel like I'm not pretty enough to be with him. My insecurities are even getting in the way of how I interact with people. I've become shy and socially awkward. I know all of this sounds shallow, but I just don't know what to do about them. Has anyone else ever felt this way, and if so, how did you overcome your insecurities?

[jackkeh]

I understand where you're coming from. A lot of girls feel the same way you do, they just don't voice it because of what you're saying..they feel like their being conceited and ungrateful right?

I'm still not over my insecurities, you can't just quick fix them. But accepting is definitely a start, everyday you kind of wake up and start the battle all over again..you see yourself in the mirror and you're like..whats the big deal? But every day you gotta fight those negative thoughts again, even if they keep starting. The main thing is that you're trying to accept yourself.

The only way you can get over this is if you figure out why you're thinking this way, what started it you know?

For me it was issues with men in general, my dad and my moms current boyfriend, my own bad experiences with boyfriends :P

Finding the cause and then working from there is a start..also realizing that you're not your best judge..your boyfriend is with you for a reason, both for internal and external reasons. You have friends for a reason, don't let your mind get the best of you.

[Shadoww]

not really, tho just think all the time that your sexy, and love every part of your body, pick your best bits of your body and rock it! say it to the mirror and tell yourself that!

[WindChaser]

You have to learn to accept yourself. Life doesn't give you more than you can handle. So apparently, it was decided that you can handle your short comings. We all have short comings. If we were made perfect in every way, what is there to strive for and what is there to achieve?

Here's something I figured out about life that I hope you can understand and use. Think of your flaws or short coming as unique as a delt hand of cards, excuse the cliche, but hear me out. And in this life, no one can play that card better than you can. So what you decide to do with your strength and weaknesses is up to you. Remember not to compare yourself with others too, cause it is a big source of insecurities. You are unique, as everyone else, and are best to address whatever issue you have in life.

[Thiezz]

> If we were made perfect in every way, what is there to strive for and what is there to achieve?

Everything! We could still improve our knowledge of the universe, perfect mathematics, and create beautiful art. All those things that give life meaning beyond worrying where your next meal will come from...

[WindChaser]

If I'm born perfect, I already know all the answer to the universe. I would know all the math and can achieve whatever beauty there is. There wouldn't be anything to improve on cause I am perfect. There wouldn't a worry to eat cause I can summon whatever food I want at a snap of a finger--just too perfect.

[Thiezz]

So what is there for god to achieve? I guess there's finally an explanation for evil: god is really f***ing bored.

[WindChaser]

How do you know god so well?

[Thiezz]

You were the one who presumed to know what it would be like to be perfect, I am merely applying your description to a being many consider to be perfect, and drawing the obvious conclusion: if being perfect is like you describe, it must be extremely boring.

[Thiezz]

Also God and I play chess every Tuesday-afternoon :p

[WindChaser]

I think you are confused about the idea of a perfect life. It is not presumed. It's a preference.

[BoobMan]

Okay, first of all, why do people say you're pretty and beautiful? Are they talking about your face, your body, your hair? What features? And when you criticize yourself, what features are you picking out?

[Asker]

a combination of all: my face, body and hair. When I criticize myself its usually my face that I don't think is pretty enough...it especially comes out in my pictures, when I take really bad ones

[BoobMan]

If people react well to all 3, then you should be totally fine. And how you look in pictures is FAR less important than how you look in real life. How long have you been with your bf? If he's excited by the way you look, then I'm going to guess that your estem problem isn't about appearance, but something else.

[barkmoon]

You don't have to be ´pretty enough´ to be with someone. Youve a boyfriend who already likes you for who you are, so what's the problem?

[Anonymous]

Your description couldn't have sounded more like me if I had written it myself.

As far as being socially awkward goes, I recently found out I have dyspraxia and this is one of the characteristics