Who is worthy of self-esteem? Can you describe that person? What other people besides yourself would you consider unworthy? Who gets to decide who is worthy or unworthy? Self esteem is mostly an illusion, as far as it is what we think about ourselves. We can think whatever we decide to think. Haven't you ever seen a celebrity or someone who seems to be famous for no reason - they're not especially talented or good looking, but they think very highly of themselves. I think reality tv is full of such people. They obviously have very high self-esteem, probably inflated to the point that it is not realistic, and yet they don't care that the world thinks they're not so great. The believe they are great so they act as if, and other people agree.

Years ago a therapist had me get this book http://www.amazon.com/The-Self-Estee.../dp/1572242523 I don't remember a lot about it honestly but it was the beginning of me having better self-esteem. I don't think you necessarily have to have a foundation of a time you remember of having good self-esteem. Some people who have had many adverse childhood experiences might not be able to think of a time but that doesn't mean that you can't begin building a foundation. It just might take longer than those who can remember back when they believed in themselves more, but it doesn't mean it can't be done. Lots of what happens in therapy is learning new skills we didn't have before.