I have been thinking this afternoon about how many people I know who have achieved national distinction, and that I certainly seemed pointed toward distinction myself when I was young -- smart, articulate, ambitious, hard-working, energetic, attractive . . .

Yet here I am, often paralyzed by my fears. If we look at the title of this thread, lack of self-esteem can seem rather unimportant compared with some of the other serious diagnoses that some people who come here cope with.

Yet, I can say that lack of self-esteem has been a huge obstacle, it grows denser, higher, and deeper with each project I do not attempt, or attempt and fail at. I am much more lacking in self-esteem esteem now, in my 50s, than I was at 25.

It is an enormous handicap that guts my pleasure and enjoyment in life, creates lots of anxiety and inner pain, and results in inertia and procrastination.