Wow, thaks for the thoughtful responses.

shezbut: I think you're right, it's probably a self-image issue. I didn't think that I had self-esteem problems, until I browsed through that forum and could relate to almost everything in it. Thanks :-)

eskielover: My parents were/are kind of socially awkward, too. And I learned how to be shy and socially awkward from them. But that has been my nature, as well. But I wanted to be different, so tended to learn as much from others around me (good and bad) as I did from them.

SnakeCharmer: Well, thanks :-). You have a good point. I'm not horribly hard on myself for making little mistakes, but I can be for thinkng or behaving below my own moral standards for myself (which are probably too high anyway, unless i'm trying to be the first woman pope or something).

Maybe this also comes from not being or feeling believed much as a kid. I did have a very active imagination......