If you've got self esteem, where did you get it?

[Iloveyourbracelet]

I could really do with some! Long history of anxiety and depression, stemming from abusive childhood. I never had any self esteem as a child. I got quite close when i had CBT as an adult but it didn't last. I never really believe im worth taking any notice of so consequently nobody does and i feel pretty invisible most of the time. I don't know what to do about it really. I suffer really badly with imposter syndrome too.

So if you really like/are proud of/believe in yourself and have self esteem - how did you get it and how can i?! Have you always been like it or did you learn to do it?

Honestly? From learning and work.

I’ve always been more brain than heart, and it’s really given me loads of confidence to become knowledgeable about lot of interesting things, and a specialist in my chosen field. I know I can do it well, and that the work I do makes a difference, and that makes me feel that I am worth something.

Reading and learning both formally and informally, about all manner of weird and wonderful things - as well as a lot of very mainstream topics - means I can have nerdy conversations with people and use my brain more, and that really helps my self-esteem, (as well as getting me out and about to different places and broadening my horizons)