Well... I don't know... my self-esteem is pretty-much in the toilet... has been for a l-o-n-g time... & for good reason. But in my case, I'm too old to worry about it at this point. It all just is what it is... or was...

I wish I knew what to tell you. Of course, the mainstream solution to this is therapy of one sort or another. I've tried a few therapists over the years. It never amounted to anything. But, then, I'd have to admit I didn't exactly dive into it with gusto either.

My personal preference at this point is for the Tibetan Buddhist "Lojong" (mind training) teachings as taught by the Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön. I've read her books over-&-over. And I try as best I can to put the teachings into practice, although I'd have to admit I'm a pretty poor student.

I guess, over the years, I've become pretty-much a fatalist. Things just are what they are & life is what you make it. And there really are no secret solutions to anything. All there is, is the opportunity to work as hard as you can to make things as good as you can for yourself & others.

So, with that, I'll leave you with this quote from the book Zen Poems & Sayings (Grange Books, 2005):

"A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, 'I'm devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it?' The teacher's reply was casual. 'Ten years.' Impatiently, the student answered, 'But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice every day, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?' The teacher thought for a moment, '20 years.' "