How to improve self esteem??

[Movingforward123]

Not sure that this is the correct place for this thread but thought I would post anyway!

I have stared reading 'mr unavailable and the fallback girl' and realised that I need to improve my self esteem urgently! I get that it may take time, but I feel I need to take actual steps to improve it, Instead of just knowing that I need to be kinder etc to myself.

The writer of this book Natalie Lue also does a e-course to improve self esteem but it is about £150 and I'm sure there must be an easy to follow but effective book out there that will help.

Any ideas or tips welcome

I really feel its time to change and wan to get moving

Been reading this with interest as much of this resonates.
My self confidence has improved after a bout of hypnotherapy (had CBT on the NHS but the counsellor was useless; he was a trainee & just not up to it really) so I can mask my low self esteem.
I procrastinate because that way I avoid failing.

I have been a single parent for almost 13 years & approaching my last DC going off to Uni. I have had very little support and no real relationships in this time so there has been no one to validate me as a person since I left my Ex (he had a very long term affair & after some emotional, physical & sexual abuse, I left taking only the kids & leaving everything behind; he divorced me as I was too scared to fight so lost everything bar kids & had to start my life from scratch).
Life is Ok but I am so lost as to where to start to help myself. I have a few friends but they are work related. Where does one get a social life at nearly 50? I know having more to do outside work will help my self esteem as eventually I will find people who want to spend time with me.
I do as much 'fake it til you make it' as I can hence no one knows how poor my self esteem is; think a lot about how I could die so the pain would be over but love my kids far too much to inflict that legacy on them so am at now risk; I just ponder how lovely if would be not to be here with all the pain.
I am not particularly depressed just lost in my procrastination over my life. Until my DCs are settled I can't look for another job & move. But part of me knows that would be running away & I need to sort myself out before I move on as these problems will come with me & then I will be lost in a new place; so probably totally lost ;0)

Thank you for this thread OP. I will continue to follow the posts & draw inspiration from the advise & strength from not being alone in feeling this way

I procrastinate because that way I avoid failing.

I get where you are.

Valuing your own time is an interesting one as someone suggested - where procrastination is a result of low self-esteem, but I find I then set up fake priorities so what's really not important really is (like watching that film or checking that thread on mumsnet).