I think it's a great thread too, and thanks for starting it. I've spent my life doing visual art in different media, as well as textile design, making most of my own clothes. Plenty of compliments, encouragement, and some sales were not enough to stop my constant degradation of my work, and impossible standards I'd set. It prevented me from launching a business. I was slow at everything because of the self-doubt. I cancelled teaching gigs. I was called today about teaching, and I have to force myself to go ahead with it!!

I'm teaching myself mandolin, having given up on fiddle. I was at a music party last Saturday. A large group in a circle. Everyone took a turn leading a song. I was sweating profusely, feeling terrible. Blew some of the lyrics to Blue Bayou and forgot the melody and tempo shift at the end. I beat myself up over it, and this was just a party. Low self-esteem has plagued me over a lifetime (a lot of years in my case).