and I’m also so glad you were able to see my message even though it was old 😀

Anita, thank you again for the information. I especially find the idea of “self objectification” interesting. Before my current relationship and the current part of my self esteem journey, I think I used to be more self objectifying. I would constantly think about how my appearance affected other people and my impressions on them, including catering to the male gaze and constantly thinking/wondering if a stranger is looking at me finds me pretty/sexy/whatever the case, even if I truly didn’t care about their thoughts. I noticed I still did this even in the beginning in my relationship (6 years ago). Thankfully these habits and thoughts have faded and has evolved into this other one with my partner. But this behavior I had definitely relates to and is an extension of the underlying reasons of those behaviors too.

Thank you so much for your reply, I agree with what you wrote and I snapshotted and will read this again in those times I feel the worst. I very much appreciate the tips

Not that I can think of at the top of my head, but since you mention family I think my dad has been a poor influence in regards to my self esteem and with the way I’ve seen him objectify women, so I’m sure that has part to do with at least being so critical of my appearance.

Hi, I know this post is a bit old but I am going through a self esteem journey myself and am finally here with the problem I face, just like as you described. But Dorothy, I wish I could read that link you sent but they had deleted it and I’m hoping you see this and can relay some more details. Im on the journey to unlearn this and want to stop feeling this way. Dorothy, your last paragraph also made me cry, you really do know the journey and it feels so good to be understood. If anyone has anything else to help me with this please share or I’m happy to talk to someone.