Norit,

{I don’t know if this is a long shot, but here goes nothing.}

It is significant that you had the spark to write your feelings on the forum. A positive step!

{I’ve been following Tiny Buddha for a few months now and since finding this website, among other things, I have greater understanding of myself and of codependency, and how skewed my views were generally up until now. It’s like I’m looking at life through new eyes. I am actually an individual, and not just here for my families’ sake.}

Returning your focus to the progress and the process will help get you through challenging times. Remember how far you’ve come.

{I’m 25 and suffer from anxiety, depression, and recovering from agoraphobia. I have very little self worth. I’m beginning to recognize my faults, but am still struggling. I feel so empty in regards to myself. I hate myself. I understand I need to love myself more, but don’t for the life of me know how. I’m trying to be kinder, to forgive myself, but I can’t shake off the feeling that I deserve to be miserable. I feel so ashamed of who I am, and for feeling this way. I can’t believe I’m sharing this on here.}

You realize you are far from being alone. It is good to trust enough to appropriately share in a safe setting.

{I would like to change. I would like to love myself, to care about myself, to actually want to live a life for myself, but it seems hopeless. I don’t know what to do. Is it possible to change? Is there something wrong with me?}

You have everything within you to be able to change the way you experience yourself and your life. The urge to make changes is where it starts. That urge came from within, where all resources needed to change also reside. Above all words from others, trust what is within you. Be grateful for what is. Laugh at yourself, gently. Let go of what hinders you. Embrace what supports and nurtures you. Take ‘things’ not so importantly. Listen deeply to what Life is saying to you, through your heart. Trusting it will give it space to unfold. One step at a time, guided by your own innate wisdom. And then, one day, you will realize you are a new person.