I am having self-esteem issues too. Today I am trying to believe a cheerie thought "Well, yes, we do need to know we are loved. I love myself, and I believe God loves me, that's enough, and if there are no people that love me that's their loss." It's kind of funny. But you gotta love yourself. Low self-esteem, depression and all. Even if it's just to hug your poor sad self, and say "there, there."

But yeah, I think you got it. Plan and execute small concrete steps. And if you fall on your face, get up, and maybe try a smaller step, and once it's done make sure you pause and appreciate yourself for having accomplished it, and not deride for the step being small.

As to the regrets, and beating self up for having wasted your life so far, you know it serves no purpose. When I get tired of "I wasted my life" tune, I try to imagine myself that I am born anew, just now, and for whatever reason I have this body and this mind, which are what they are. I happen to know the whole history and how everything got the way it is. But it's just a history. It doesn't mean I have to continue the same story.

Now, I can choose to moan oh why don't I have a shiny new Porsche of a mind/body, rather than this beat up rusty Pinto (oh, so unfair!). Or I walk around, kick the old tires and say, well it is what it is, but most parts still work, arms, legs, memory like swiss cheese on some parts, but solid, detail and in 3d in other areas, little slow on joy and the enthusiasm tank is quite empty, but all in all not so bad. Very unique to say the least. At least I do have this thing that I can, if I choose to, use to interract with the world. And why not? So, ok. Here I am. Hello world! Now, what can I do? Maybe something to help this body and this mind. Oh, dunno, sun is shinning, maybe a walk?