I think for years I hated myself. It was only when I grew older that I began to appreciate me. Some of this I know came from parents who wanted too much from me. The wanted more then I could deliver. I had always felt that they brought home the wrong baby from the hospital as I was not like either of them. They would call me nuts, or stupid when I presented them with a new idea or thought. I was a child of the '60's and of course at that time a lot was going on then. I was never into drugs but firmly believed in free thinking, and standing up to authority, and rules that made no sense. I was just not my parents child!
I , as I aged, saw a stong woman in myself. The more I accomplished, the stonger emotionally I became. It was a process and a long one... as they say " a day at a time.'. I don't think this growth can be rushed either especially when you start from ground zero. Baby steps...and one foot in front of the other and your instinct....I wish I had used that more to keep me out of situations I got into. Those red flags you know!! They really are there if we trust our gut!!

You will survive and grow and one day that person in the mirror won't look half bad!!
We all come to this web site for a reason...to grow; to help; to connect.
Hugs;
Dee