I need some help...I've always had extremely low self-esteem and, unfortunately, every day seems to be an "ugly day" for me...I'm tired of feeling ugly and it's ruining my life. I can't even go out in public without thinking of how ugly everyone around me must think I am. About eight of every ten thoughts I have are about how ugly I believe I am. It's gotten to the point where I mainly stay inside and it takes a lot of strength to go anywhere, hell, even to sit out on the front porch. I don't know what to do about this. People say I'm not ugly but I can't believe them. I need help because I'm tired of feeling this way. Ugly thoughts are ruining my life!!

By the way: No I am not seeing a therapist.
I can't see one right now, so please don't suggest this.

Thank you.

[IrisBloom]

I used to be very self conscious of how I looked. I felt huge as a teenager and I envied the petite girls. ( I was not huge, I was 5'7", 150lb and wore size 13) I never put my hair up because I thought my head was oddly shaped. (It is not.) I thought my nose looked weird. My eyes were not wide enough. My butt and thighs were too big. One day I just decided to stop worrying about how I looked. I had to accept that this was the body I had and I couldn't change it. I also realized that people don't dwell on how you look as much as you think they do. How many people have you seen that you thought were unattractive? Did it matter to you how they looked? Did it matter to them what you thought?

I really doubt that your are ugly. It sounds like you have a self esteem issue. Please try some self help resources online. Self talk is powerful. Find at least one good thing to compliment yourself on each day. Try make-up. Try different colors of clothing to see what compliments your complexion. Pretty yourself up. You deserve to feel beautiful.