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Community Support Team Member Since Mar 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 11,306
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#1
Objectively speaking I was a funny looking kid. My jaw was mishapen, instead of my palate being rounded it was triangular like a bird's beak. They eventually broke the bone and I wore a special retrainer for several years to reshape my palate into a more normal shape. My nose was also really crooked from having been broken in an accident when I was a baby. Looking back on it, I'm surprised I didn't get teased more on it than I did. I had a nose job when I was 16 to straighten my nose.
I still remember two remarks from when I was a kid. When I was really young, like maybe around 9, because it was before my Mom got sick we were visisting friends of my parents, and one of them commented that it was a good thing I was smart, since I could always be a librarian since I definitely wasn't going anywhere on my looks. All the other adults, including my parents agreed. Then when I was about 17, my Dad and I went to a family wedding. It had been a few years since I'd seen the relatives, and when I walked in, the first thing one of my aunts exclaimed was "Thank God they finally fixed your face." So needless to say, I've grown up with some self-image issues. Well yesterday, I had a job interview right after day hospital, and I didn't have time to go home and change, so I had to dress for the interview in the morning. I do know how to dress well, so I was wearing a nice suit in a colour that's good on me, nice understated jewellery, and makeup. I've only started wearing make up in the last 8 months and don't like it, so I tend not to wear it unless I have to. Anyway I new I looked "better" than normal. What surprised me was the number of people who went out of their way to tell me how great I looked. One woman even said I looked beautiful. While I've come a long enough way to accept compliments as genuine, they still feel weird, like they're talking about someone other than me - it's like I still can't believe that anyone would think I was good looking. Does anyone else have / had trouble accepting compliments on how you look. Any suggestions on getting over it. Thanks. splitimage |
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Wisest Elder Ever
Member Since Feb 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 67,808
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#2
I would cherish receiving compliments. But I don't get any. Not even from my husband. That is not meant to sound self pitying though. I am working on myself and my weight to get to that place where is might receive a compliment.
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Wandering soul
Member Since Apr 2010
Location: Off yonder
Posts: 6,019
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#3
I have to wonder when there is a compliment, specifically about how I look on one day, if looking really nice that day, how bad I look on the other days that that one stood out?
I do appreciate compliments but at the same time I do feel that they can be hard to take, almost not feeling worthy of them. It is a personal self-esteem issue that am learning that if I have gone to the trouble to do something nice for myself worth noting by others, graciously thanking them and also taking a moment to take it in now as I know the spirit they meant. On the other hand. I try not to get noticed. I still squirm a bit with compliments as I don't always want to be noticed and grapple with that fact; do I dress/make-up/hair/attitude for how I am feeling, which happens to get noticed or do I try to hide for less attention. At trial, how I was dressed before and during my attack/rape was brought up even though I dressed modestly. Even though I know logically it had nothing to do with it, it still clings with me them saying that. So it feels like a catch-22, and compliments indicate being noticed so it is a mixed feeling when they occur. __________________ I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it. -M.Angelou Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. -Anaïs Nin. It is very rare or almost impossible that an event can be negative from all points of view. -Dalai Lama XIV |
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New Member
Member Since Mar 2012
Location: Babson Park, FL
Posts: 3
12 |
#4
I do, I don't believe someone when they say I am beautiful or pretty. Could be cause I was picked on mercilessly by my older sister. I was a fat kid too. I have always been a sensitive person/ Only thing I can say is if u see a therapist, talk about it, get self help books, research low self esteem. Don't believe in the lies.
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Crowned "The Good Witch"
Member Since Jun 2009
Location: Wonderland
Posts: 11,535
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#5
I think even most "normal" women have low self-esteem. I never thought I would ever love myself, but now I can't stop complimenting myself. Loving yourself takes practice.
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Legendary
Member Since Feb 2009
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 12,565
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#6
I am horrible at accepting compliments. I always have been, which I believe to be based upon my self-hate.
I'm looking for answers myself on how to improve self-esteem. It's a big necessity in life, really. I'll let you know any good tips that I can find. __________________ "Only in the darkness can you see the stars." - Martin Luther King Jr. "Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness but because you deserve peace." - Author Unkown |
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Elder
Member Since Nov 2008
Location: Sunny East Coast Florida!
Posts: 6,873
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#7
had the same feelings, split image, when i got a compliment. my T suggested i say, "what a nice thing to say." or just, "thank you". it really helped me.
__________________ Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours..~Ayn Rand |
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Poohbah
Member Since Nov 2010
Location: US
Posts: 1,273
13 |
#8
YES! I still can't get over it. If you ever figure it out, splitimage, let me know.
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Magnate
Member Since Nov 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 2,004
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#9
I have got better at accepting compliments, I no longer go bright red or stutter for the words to say thank you. It still feels weird receiving compliments as i never really had any till recently. I have come to realise that different people see me differently and that is ok, each to their own. Those that notice when i look different tend to be those i know best so as i have learnt to trust they are not going to hurt me , i have also learned to trust when they compliment me. compliments feel good.
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shezbut
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Veteran Member
Member Since Feb 2012
Posts: 446
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#10
I don't mind compliments as long as they are meaningful. Anyone trying to be flirtacious and I shut off.
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shezbut
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shezbut
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Wisest Elder Ever
Member Since Oct 2008
Location: Notzville
Posts: 60,397
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#11
Quote:
I've had people compliment me when I dress well and wear makeup. It feels like they are trying to convince me that I should always dress that way. Fat chance buffalo breath! I'll do what I have to do, but most often, I'm doing what's comfortable and possible for me if I can. Splitimage, I can't see you, but I've been privileged to know your head and your heart and you are, indeed, beautiful - makeup or no makeup! __________________ notz |
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shezbut
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shezbut
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Veteran Member
Member Since Jan 2012
Location: Little Fish Big Pond
Posts: 650
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#12
I've been complemented my whole life, and I hate it. I always turn it back on the person, say something nice about their clothing or hair or something. The one I hate the most is "your such a nice person" or "Your so sweet"... I want to cry. I never know what to say and I feel so bad if I accept it.
The flip side of this is that I'm always complementing other. If I like something, I'll tell the person. It can be awkward sometimes but I also like seeing someone smile. I should be better at complements than I am because I've been on stage a lot, and I was good, so I was always overwhelmed with complements afterwards. The words was I stopped thinking because I was in a rush to get out, and someone complemented me on the show, saying "you were wonderful up there" or something. I don't even remember replying, but apparently I said "Yeah, thanks, I know" and just kept walking. I have never forgiven myself for that... ever... I felt so bad when I found out I'd said that! __________________ "You can't hop a jet plain like you can a freight train" - Gordon Lightfoot "It starts with light, and ends with light, and in between there is darkness" -I forget "Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight" -BNL
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shezbut
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