Dear Hale,

So I’ve managed to ruin 90% of all my friendships in my short 23 year life span, make a horrible first impression for myself as aggressive and cringe worthy human being and it all culminates into me feeling pathetic.

You’re very hard on yourself, Hale. Usually when we criticize ourselves like that, it means we have been criticized and treated harshly as children. Was that the case with you?

I’m grateful for the people in my life who love me, every so often I get a lovely note from a family member or family friend letting me know how much they love me and my spirit is lifted.

That’s good to hear that there are people in your life who love you and care about you.

But it always crashes down. I am reminded of my past actions, the loneliness weighs and I am alone.

Your feeling of guilt and not being good enough, and being “cringe worthy” is stronger, and it causes you to shut down and isolate from people, feeling unworthy. Is that what’s going on? Please share some more, if you feel like it.