[LostHisWay]

I just joined here in hopes to start the process of improving my low self esteem. I find I can be an enigma of sorts. I have days I long for friendship, then others when I don't want to be around anyone. I don't have any friends in my life I can talk to openly. I always feel I need to put up a mask, never to reveal my true self. When I've tried to express concerns, or feelings, those friendships ended. My friendships usually have a maximum of a year before they are ended.

I'm a 36 year old male, and I don't relate to most guys. I have zero interest in sports, cars (other than design of them), guns, etc...What you might consider typical "guy" stuff. What I like are Photography and gaming. When I do meet people I do wait to hear from them. For some reason I feel very odd and never know what to say if I try and reach out to them. So with that occurring my self esteem really drops.

I am happily married, but I feel it's hard to talk to my wife about this as I can see she doesn't know how to respond, which sometimes frustrates me, but I can't blame her. At least she does try.

[lostconfusedhopeles]

Hello. If you would like you can message me. Im 15 but maybe talking to someone through here will help?

[A Red Panda]

Can you join a photography club in your town/city? That would at least give you a common interest to have at the start!

I so far, although I can have friendships that last for years and years... I seem to be incapable of having a "group" of friends that lasts more than two years. That's the record. Do you normally try to be friends with just guys, or do you go through a mix of friends? I find that having a mix of male and female friends to be the best way for me.

I try to show people more of who I am a bit at a time. I'll talk about things that are actual issues for me in a more light-handed manner initially, and then if I ever need to talk about it a bit more seriously they'll already be aware to some extent about the things that go on. It's usually when I go from nothing to almost everything (about maybe ONE issue) that people then back away quickly.

[Gus1234U]

i have found that self esteem is closely linked to accomplishments, and those are a matter of internal acknowledgement... so , practice appreciating your successes~!! the inner child craves approval, and deserves it...

learning to be your own best friend is a skill you will never regret having~