Both in a way. Definitely what I have done; and then what I think and feel.
All these represent who I am. The goal is to accept myself - warts and all.

Shame, remorse, guilt, resentments, hidden anger, jealousy, envy ... Basically, all my fears about me. All the tings I don't want others to know about.

These are hidden under a veil of denial - to protect my ego (self-esteem).
Denial is denying a truth I don't want to entertain.
I may plead ignorance, but the truth is that I ignored myself, my truth.

In denial, my self-esteem became over-protected and became too fragile and weak (shyness).
Exposing my truth to myself is the first step to toughing up my ego (so to speak).
So later I will be strong enough to no longer rely on my ego to feel okay. That is, I become okay.