Mysterious,

First of all, I don't know if anyone has explained to you how to start new threads rather than replying to some else's thread. If they have, or if you figured it out, then please disregard this first paragraph, okay? When I was new here it took me a while to figure it out. From this page, where you are reading a thread, all you can do is reply to the current thread or go back to one of the menus, so that can be confusing. What you need to do if you want to start a thread, is first be on a forum page where it lists the threads in that forum (you'll get there if you scroll down and click the "jump" button, or click the link above to the name of the forum). There will be a row of buttons. Click the one that says "start new topic." That opens a new thread and you'll know what to do from there. Does that help? I think lots of people get confused about how to do this at first, so I hope you don't feel bad if you just didn't know what everyone was talking about when the said you needed to start a new thread.

Now regarding your question. You have been through a lot! It would be really challenging to lose your financial support and have to struggle to survive. I've never had great self-esteem myself, but I'm working on it. It doesn't come all at once, and you'll have to work for every step you gain. I guess that's necessary so that we can feel good about what we do accomplish, huh? I'm going to direct you to a couple of sites that might be helpful. Just remember, reading them isn't enough. You have to take a step towards doing what these sites tell you to do. Just one step at a time is plenty as long as you make it a habit and take another step, and another, when you are able to. It doesn't matter how fast you get there, as long as you are moving yourself forward towards your goal.

This first site is really about organization, at least on the surface, but it helps you to accomplish something, and it will build your self-esteem if you follow the instructions. http://flylady.net

This next site is specifically about self-esteem. It will help you to understand self-esteem and set goals for yourself to work towards it. http://www.selfesteem.org/

I hope this helps. Please come back and keep us updated on what you are trying, how it is working for you, and what else we can do to help.

Welcome to Psych Central.

Rap