As far as I'm concerned, self-hate is the most counterproductive thing we do, but almost everyone feels that way. What is the reasoning of this? "Our parents scolded us as children in order to make us better, so I should do it, too." Frankly, that is child abuse with questionable results, at best. It really just makes a person worse when we think it will eventually help us. Forgiveness and compassion for yourself is by far the best way to lay the groundwork for a brighter future, no matter what you have done. It has to start somewhere, and self-hate is a rocky beginning.