How do I stop hating myself, and start having hope in my life for things to be better, thanks?

[Anonymous]

[BCRanger10]

As someone who has felt the way you do, I'm very happy to help. Or try to at least.

The first thing I'd have to ask is why you feel this way. What is causing it? It's important to identify the underlying cause of the state of mind you're in. And no, the answer isn't finding a job (or a better one), "putting yourself out there" and finding a girlfriend, or other such common bits of advice. Those are important things, don't get me wrong, but you have to be at peace with yourself first. A good job, money, and a relationship will not fulfill you by themselves. And even then, there are moments of unhappiness. They are means to an end.

After that, you need to take an inventory of yourself. Take a good, honest look at yourself and see what your strengths and weaknesses are (though for the time being, you should think of them as "areas of improvement"). I've been in that position before, where I've said "there's nothing good about me." You might feel the same way, but let me assure you: There IS SOMETHING!

Following from that, you need to have gratitude for that thing (or those things). Not only that, but just something else in your life in general. Even if it's something as simple as making your bed in the morning. Why? Because even if you've had the worst day ever, you know that a clean, warm, made bed is there waiting for you at the end. You need to have that simple little thing that motivates you, that one shining light in darkness.

I'll let this Navy SEAL Admiral explain it in more detail...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sBAqF00gBGk

In closing, I don't know what your religious beliefs are, if you have any at all. But may I recommend you read St. Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises? He was a Spanish soldier in the 16th Century who was seriously injured in battle. He was also a bit of a playboy and drunkard. But while in treatment, he had a radical conversion to Jesus Christ and eventually became a priest. And, of course, a SAINT! He is the patron saint of retreats and the internal life. The internal life is war. And who better to help guide your steps in something like this than a soldier? But also, again, a Saint?

Be assured of my prayers for you, good sir!

[White_Widow]

Try to see things as a glass half full instead of half empty. Look at what you do have instead of what you don't have. Small steps but it'll change a lot. Good luck