What helps me is to know that you don't need to force yourself. You are loveable even when you yourself can't see it!!

Hey Cathy, how r u

I know this sounds weird, but I start off my day by dancing to music even when I despise it. Throughout the day as my intrusive thoughts creep in, I list things I’m grateful for. (Even if that’s getting out of bed that morning).

Join a support group?

This might sound like odd advice, but I found it easier to befriend myself as a teenager by sort of pretending I was someone else. I find it easy to be friendly towards others, even strangers - so in the early stages of my self esteem journey, that tactic was helpful to me.

What if you wrote down any positive things about yourself. It doesn't have to be major, little things count. Things to consider could be anything you're good at (even something as small as doing a small task around the house), being kind toward others or animals, having a pretty attribute about yourself (pretty ankles count lol). There are probably tons of things that someone looking at you or who knows you would say are positive. I hope this makes sense and is helpful.