Whoa, back the truck up...the self-loathing hurts to watch....!
Paula I see in your last post you said you're alright now, but I feel compelled to butt in anyway, 1) because it might help others at some point, and 2) because you may be able to use it at some point future--and quite honestly, the depth of the experience/feelings that you shared indicates to me that you've thought & felt them before & will think & feel them again. I can only partially relate to your situation. I know first hand both social isolation & poor self-image, but my girl-parts match my brain so I can't identify with the gender piece on a tangible level.
I'm so sorry you've had a rough go of things. I hope the thoughts I share can help you or others. Some of what I'm about to say might sound hokey, because it sure sounded hokey to me when I was first hearing these concepts, and not only hokey, but kind of unreasonable. But now that I've come to understand and experience certain things firsthand, I wish I'd understood sooner. Trouble is, I have no idea just how I came to realize these things in my own life....so, I can tell you what has worked for me, but I can't tell you
how to get there. I s'pose it's one of those things that becomes part of one's journey, if desired....and I s'pose, too, that not having
all the answers leaves room for interaction, for this community we choose to participate in to realize its function as a community.
Your initial post shouts at me, "I hate myself!!" First of all, that breaks my heart, and secondly, hon, it really doesn't seem to be serving your purpose. Lesson 1: If it doesn't serve your purpose or lead you to your goals, get rid of it. I am still figuring out how to adopt that attitude for myself, but I'm in remedial classes for that one! Just something I heard or read somewhere in time that comes to mind at the moment.
Lesson 2: Smile. At the world, at yourself. The act of smiling itself automatically ups your mood, and has the potential for chain reaction. Who cares if people notice? Smile for your own damn happiness.
Lesson 3: Don't try to be confident. Because if you have to try, it's not really there inside you. Develop your confidence, and you will just
have it. Tell yourself when you've done well, when you think you look good in such & such clothes, hair, whatever.
Lesson 4: Say good things to yourself. It works. Start with things you already like about yourself....you'll notice in time that you end up adding more to your list.
Lesson 5: (If you dare!): Look yourself in the eyes every day for a minimum of 21 days and say TEN times, "I love you." Even if you don't believe it. Just do it. I dare ya's. (I want a report from anyone who tries this in earnest.
Good relationships with others start with a good relationship with yourself. Develop that. You're worth it, the whole lot of you....and me. Don't look to others to supply your feelings of self-worth. Be your own friend. Start there. You'll find yourself changing in time, for the better....your attitudes will slowly morph....and as you morph, the world appears to change, too....but really it'll just be your new outlook.
Finally, appearances are secondary to most people. I, for one, am not the kind of person who can go googly-eyed over people on TV, in magazines, etc, no matter how "attractive" people consider them. For me, it's knowing a person, seeing them in action, being who they are, with all the nuances that encompass being human. Sometimes I will think about a particular person I have affection for...I'll notice that some of their physical traits may not be classically "attractive" but because they're part of this person I care for, they, and the person as a whole, are beautiful.
Where the sex & gender thing is concerned, I know that I can love someone who is male, female, both, neither, or none of the above. There's got to be more than one of us out there! And really, there are. Chillax. Be gentle with yourself, and then be gentle with others.
I'm sorry I've not the time to develop these thoughts more fully....my internet hang-out is closing early tonight & I gotta' run....but please, everyone....give yourselves a break. You don't have to find your own beauty or try to manifest it in yourself....it's already inside you, waiting to be noticed.
Bless you,
~Valerie