~ archived since 2018 ~
Popular
Other
[deleted]
[–]celluloidchrome7v 204 points205 points206 points 6 years ago (6 children) | Copy Link
You cannot solve an internal problem externally. "Not good enough" at its core, it means that you have nothing meaningful to offer even if you do, you feel this way. Fear grasps when you desire something. You must accept life's results. Keep trying it's not up to you judge if you are good enough or not, its not even upto them, sometimes people like jigsaw puzzle dont fit together..its not the fault of the pieces. It is what it is. What you need is objective clarity. If a girl is not interested in you, it doesn't mean you are not interesting. It just means she is not in a place where she can spare you attention. Best strategy is to gamble. Throw the dice, if you win, you win, you win, it's not in your hands. I'm not saying you need luck. But life is random. Play the game, and try not to take losses personally particularly in matters of getting girls. Ciao
[+]creamyturtle -49 points-48 points-47 points 6 years ago (5 children) | Copy Link
well you kinda can.. here's the plan. step 1, date a fat chick. step 2, date a less fat chick. step 3, date a couple decently hot girls. step 4, date a hot girl. you use the other women to build your confidence and test your skills. once you bag the hottie then you know you are the man
[–]shorterthan-ur-avg 30 points31 points32 points 6 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
For others’ sake I hope you’re trolling. Using innocent people for your own personal gain is not good advice.
[–]creamyturtle 3 points4 points5 points 6 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
I guess everyone on this sub was dating supermodels in highschool, geez. sorry if it sounded crude how I typed it; I didn't mean that you should literally "use" these people, just that you should date in your league until you gain more confidence. hell, maybe this guy will fall in love with one of these girls along the way, who knows. but trying to start out with upper-league women when he has very little dating experience is going to be a bad experience, as op has already discovered
[–]GhostWCoffee 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
You have a point, even if you have worded it pretty cruelly. I think a more apt word would be ''less'' attractive, and by that, that you consider less attracting. I'm also still learning how attraction works, but I've read somewhere that you shouldn't ignore the ''ugly'' girls completely.
As a matter of fact, go ahead and talk with them, they may be wonderful people! And let's face it, a number of prettier girls tend to have some egos, and they may be used to getting attention, so you talking with their ''ugly'' friends makes them a little jealous (remember, women are competitive, even if it's not obvious, including to them) and makes her want to work for YOUR attention. I know, this may seem manipulative, but you have to show that you have some social proof, some options if you find the other girl pretty cute, and isn't DYING for the pretty girl's attention.
I almost forgot, you shouldn't actively talk with the ''uglies'' because you consciously want to play mind games, I just said some things that happen. If you talk with the other girls because you actually enjoy the conversation, and if this makes the ''pretty'' girl jealous, isn't that her business? You don't owe her your undivided attention and catering of her feelings.
Women are actually attracted to men who aren't head over heels for them. Also, dating principally serves as to KNOW other person better, to determine what kind of relationship you'd want to have with that person, so in the beginning, you shouldn't think that you will marry this person. There shouldn't be any pressure to impress. Sure, if you feel attracted to that person and he/she returns the feeling, then obviously you can flirt.
Dates are also meant to spend some fun, leisure time. You're partly dating because you want some stress and pressure off in the first place, so why putting some extra in it?
[–]Gavitir 5 points6 points7 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
commenting to save for later to see what other people's responses are
[–]Stallrim 2 points3 points4 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
This is what my friend suggested when I was in school, i was in my perfect shape and lot of hot girls did gave me attention, but I always fucked up, he told me to start with an ugly one and then progress.
Honestly I really didn't like the sound of it, but still I somehow convinced myself to do it, two days in with a girl who I am not attracted to, I felt really really bad and gave up to this process.
Now I am almost 24 and have dated only one girl.
I know this is a bad way to build up your confidence with girls, but it works, I have seen it working.
And at the end, be it seduction or other things in life. Life always brings you in such a situation where you have to chose yourself or the other person, you can't save both.
[–]Kavalicious 87 points88 points89 points 6 years ago (4 children) | Copy Link
How did I shake it? I shifted my mindsets and raised my self-esteem.
My mindset has shifted to this concept that I am not better than those around me, and nobody around me is 'better' than I. Therefore any girl walking around either shares this belief, and I don't have to worry, or she doesn't, and thus is not what I'm looking for anyway.
I raised my self-esteem by becoming prouder of the values I have to offer. When I think about qualities such as kindness, patience, honesty, integrity, ambition, curiosity and optimism, I think I score to a level I can be proud of. That's after a period of self reflection and auditing where I developed some principles around how I wanted to treat people and how I wanted to treat myself.
Goodluck!
[–]amb56 25 points26 points27 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
This is gold. Comparing yourself to others can really chip away at your own self esteem, and the truth is we all have good things to offer a potential partner. Confidence is all about knowing who you are, what you like, what you want, and owning it. If someone doesn’t like it, oh well. Can’t be compatible with everyone.
[–]facethemusic016 7 points8 points9 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I just want to add that just because someone is not interested in you or attracted to you, doesn’t mean they think they are better than you or you are not enough. It just means they are looking for other stuff in a partner and it was an issue of compatibility, rather that someone being better than someone else.
[–]ApollosSin 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
2nd part. Self Esteem. Can you expand?
[–]Kavalicious 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Sure :) Sorry if I expand too much, I'm not sure whether you mean 'what's self esteem?' or 'how did you get it?'
OP said he was struggling with the idea that he wasn't 'good enough' for some girls. Often when people don't feel 'good enough' it's because of a lack of self-esteem, meaning they don't think much of themselves. I had the same issue in my early twenties. I didn't think much of myself. If somebody gave me a compliment I'd reject it because I didn't believe it. Now I've made some changes and I feel pretty good about who I am, regardless of what others think. Here's a list if you're interested.
I don't speak poorly about people behind their backs. If I do speak about people behind their backs, it's purely to get something off my chest, and I always preface it with "this is just my perception of what happened, I could be totally wrong". Most people I know and have come across, shamelessly complain about people while they aren't there and I'm proud of the fact I don't share that habit.
My mind is flexible. I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong and I don't feel any shame when I do.
In my opinion I'm not judgemental at all, people are who they're going to be, and they have their own interests. Someone the other day in a group setting said they'd been on Tik Tok a lot lately and that it was "stupid but funny". A person in the group said "Tik Tok isn't fun, it's just stupid". I wouldn't want to put people's interests down like that, and I'm proud of how I've grown into that person.
I make an effort to be active. I'm certainly not in the gym every day of the week, but I go, and eating healthy is important to me.
My bedroom is clean. I make an effort every night before bed to pack things up as they were, there's usually not much as I do it every night.
You might have a different list of reasons for why you like yourself, but those are some of mine.
You get self-esteem by recognising qualities you have, that you don't think are necessarily common.
[–]vvvrath12 12 points13 points14 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I also had the self esteem crushers I am in the best shape of my life but I still am depressed and feel like dying. Man I really don't see myself getting with any attractive woman
[–]relentless_pma 27 points28 points29 points 6 years ago (4 children) | Copy Link
That you see woman look at you means you are gifted with at least okay looks. So that is already something i in your advantage. Hope you can tap some strength from this insight.
[–][deleted] 6 years ago (3 children) | Copy Link
[permanently deleted]
[–]ApollosSin 13 points14 points15 points 6 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
Read the six pillars of self esteem. I started reading it, it's a good book, but yeah I 100% feel you on everything you posted.
I feel like I'm not enough a lot, and I'm decently attractive. It is what it is man. Honestly, what I've done is trying not to think about whether I'm good enough or not. I just go for it, and see what happens.
I get shot down at, and my self esteem plummets but then theres moments where I actually progress with someone or improve, and I feel good. And i think that helps a bit.
[–]relentless_pma 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
She would not say it if it was not true
[–]jawnzoo 40 points41 points42 points 6 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
the more you get rejected the more you don't give a fuck what others think.
[–]gtrman571 21 points22 points23 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I have not found that to be true at all, hundreds of rejections later and I still care too much - Reason being is that rejections are an external thing whereas caring what other people think is an internal one
[–]ForgotMyCakeDay 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
This does not apply to everyone. This only leads to confirmation bias in some cases.
[–]Kurosawa-Yurine 23 points24 points25 points 6 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
“What do you think when you see yourself in the mirror?
Probably you tell yourself negative things that if we are realistic these may be true or not, but the key is that even if these are true it doesn't matter, be comfortable with who you are.
Does no one want you? Stop giving a fuck about that, as if you will die because of that, don't care, fuck it.
Think, "they don't want me? then I don't want them. Fuck them honestly, they don't deserve you.
Do you think you are ugly based on beauty standards? If you do then what you need to do is don't care, break the standards and be okay with being ugly who cares, yes pretty people may attract more people, but did you choose to be ugly? Nah, can you change that? I mean yeah with surgery you might improve your appearance but not the way you think about yourself,
Do you really think that if you get for example a nose surgery you won't be insecure about anything else anymore? You are wrong there will be occasions where you will be insecure because you actually care about people's opinions so, in the end, the story repeats itself, and just to please people? because let's be serious why do you care about people's opinions? Are you scared they will think you look bad in that outfit, that you are ugly, etc? Well guess what you will never know what they are thinking unless they tell you, you can't control their thoughts, you can't even control yours.
Even if they tell you, these people are just assholes ignore them you can't go back in time and make them shut their mouth but what you can do is not let their opinions affect you. Why is it that you care about their opinion so much? Think about it like deeply
Maybe an instinct, you don't know why? You can stop this, by thinking you are better than them, that's it, but how can I do that? You may ask
Well, do you want to be the victim? Don't pity yourself, don't think bad about yourself, because you are better than them.
How do I know that? YOU CARE, they don't. Repeat to yourself I'm better than them even if they make me feel like I am not.
Pity them, oh poor people they care about your life, your face, your appearance, your outfit so much that they take the time of their life to get in yours, probably they don't even have a life or they feel so bad about themselves that making fun of you makes them feel better. Because when they make fun of you they will think "at least I'm not her/him hahaha " They can't even shut their mouth they are so pressed over nothing that they feel the need to speak up.
-but maybe they can use this method too. Don't give a fuck about other people's lives, like honestly, you are wasting your TIME, the most important thing in your life, and you give it out like that? instead don't care about what is annoying you, it's not worth it and not convenient because you can get in trouble and bum you just wasted your time.
Give a fuck about your time.
You cannot change someone, that would need a lot of effort and time wasted on a person who is not that relevant.
Like if you think that person is not worth anything, why don't show that person they are not even worth your time and effort, at the end you are actually caring about them and the "you are not worth anything" doesn't make sense anymore because they at least are worth your time.
If you don't have any friends at school and you sit alone or maybe you even hide in the bathroom as if you were not like them so you feel the need to hide. The people outside couldn't even care less about you, that's why you should do the same.
Give what you get.
I mean why are you supposed to hide? just because you don't have friends and you are scared that people may think you are a loner?
I am in fact a loner I don't have friends, I mean there was a time where I used to but they were fake so I dropped them and it was so simple I didn't even care and wasn't sad about it, and we were friends for like a year.
But the thing is how did I not feel sad? Well, I have pride, dignity, and I also knew I deserved better because I know I am a good person so I applied these methods and it literally opened my eyes.
I really like to be alone, I mean who wouldn't? extroverts I guess but you can't always avoid being alone and it's not that bad honestly, people really think not having friends is the worst thing that can happen to you, like friends are not the only thing in life, the most important thing is yourself, take care because, in the end, it's only you.
Choose wisely with what people you are going to be friends with. If you don't then you will waste your time in them. Don't hang out with people that have a bad influence on you or that just annoy you but you are so scared to be alone so you stay with them. And let me tell you something these people are toxic and you don't certainly want them in your life, why do you need to deal with them when you can just drop them and feel better? just drop them without them realizing and then one day bum you disappear and if you end up being alone you can do it confidently, it's okay to not have friends and just stay at home, but make sure you are doing something productive and have some goals, it will help you a lot and you might improve your own persona.
The best thing you can do while being alone is self educate yourself !! You can listen to audiobooks about self-improvement as I do, you don't even have to read and it can help you grow as a person, I do this all the time it's really helpful and you are not wasting your time, you are improving yourself, it's for your future, and if you want you can read or watch videos about something you like or want to learn, you will have more time because you will stay home and it will feel like you are not wasting your time.....
Think about how they are making you feel right now, do they annoy or do they bring joy. If they annoy right now at this moment it doesn't matter what memories you've had with them you shouldn't care, just accept the fact that not everything is like it was before and that's ok, you need to move on, make a goal and distract yourself by doing things you enjoy and will benefit you in the future.
Don't do anything that will only bring you joy for a moment, that will not make you feel any better in the long run, think about something you want to learn, or something you can do to improve your confidence like exercising.
Drink water every day will make you feel good and it benefits you. Also if you can exercise that would be awesome because it will benefit you in the future and you are improving yourself, but don't forget that you are doing this for yourself, not for other people.
It's your life, people will judge you anyways what is there to lose? like they are not the ones who are going to save your life or always be there when you are sad, no they are only the spectators, yes they can have an opinion and they can judge you but it doesn't mean you need to be affected by them, you can't let it affect you and then change just to please them. You will die someday, and you don't want this to happen, imagine just faking who you are just to not get judged, you need to stop letting people tell you how to live YOUR life.
Think, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO MATTERS THE MOST YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE YOU YOU BE SELFISH DONT CARE IT'S YOU WHO HAS THE CONTROL IT'S YOU WHO CAN MAKE A BETTER LIFE OUT OF EVERYTHING IN THE FUTURE ITS YOU WHO IS GOING TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE IT'S YOU WHO IS GOING TO BE AFFECTED NOT OTHERS THINK ABOUT YOURSELF SO MUCH AND REMEMBER YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU HAVE THE CONTROL TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER. “
[–]ironronoa 3 points4 points5 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Long read but worth it
[–]NotYoHabibi 4 points5 points6 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Feel this. I’d highly recommend going in to therapy to see what previous trauma/beliefs from the past is holding you back.
As soon as I found a really good therapist, my life started changing. I saw why I had certain beliefs - often times stemming from experiences from my childhood that had no business dictating who I am now. In therapy, I started “shedding” the parts of me that was holding me back. Check out EMDR therapy it’s changed my life
Wishing you the best bro, remember your life is your movie. You can make it whatever you want it to be with the right mindset
[–]McLovinReturns 2 points3 points4 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
When you have lost pride in yourself you well never feel complete. Find something you can truly find pride in. You're really fit, but you don't find pride in it. This means you getting fit wasn't something you chose for yourself, but did it not feel looked down upon. That's not a bad thing at all, but you have to find something that grounds you. For me I really like camping and I have hopes of joining the US Army Rangers
[–]CookieAdmiral 3 points4 points5 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Work on yourself, find new hobbies. Working on yourself will erase those thoughts gradually.
[–]blackcokie- 2 points3 points4 points 6 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link
I really even strongly advise you to watch Marisa peer on yt. I was just like you, having this feelings of I'm not good enough etc.... However I committed to myself that I am going to undo it and let me tell you I'm in a better place now, it does take a while becouse it's all in changing your beliefs and reinforce new ones. But if you have the passion to REALLY change, it won't just change this aspect of your life but all your life. I wish all the best <3
[–][deleted] 6 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]blackcokie- 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Beautiful, go for it. One advise I can give you is to hold in to it. For example me when I first got into I felt super great and enthusiastic but as the time went by I started to feel like I don't want to do it anymore because my unconscious mind want to take me to my "comfort zone" and to not or delay the change but I still went on. now I feel even much much more better. And I have gotten sooooo many positive responses. All the luck
[–]Wander1900 3 points4 points5 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
You got this bro
[–]blac_snake 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Here's the problem my bro: you won't feel "good enough" until you've fucked a 10, but a 10 isn't gonna fuck you til you feel good enough. a real catch 22. here's the scrub: even after you fuck that 10, you still won't feel good enough.
You know the cliche about a guy who obsesses about climbing Everest - spends most of his time for a couple years training for it, thinking about it, imagining it. Then one day he finally does it. Snaps a pic at the summit, climbs back down, goes home. Got a moment's validation from the pic but realises the truth is no one really gives a fuck that he climbed it beyond a fleeting congrats. He's laying in bed and his heart feels the exact same way as it did before he became obsessed with the idea of the climb.
Heaps of dudes on this sub are in this EXACT situation but their Everest is the supposed "10" that they think will change everything.
Trust - fucking a bunch of 10s or having threesomes or whatever you've decided is your peak will give you THE EXACT SAME FEELING as beating a boss level on Metal Gear. Its addictive and exciting and it feels mad (im not talking it down - these are all great feelings and worth playing for) but it ain't gonna do much about how you feel internally.
You think the crux reason you can't land 10's is your past or low self-esteem, and it is in a way, but in another way it isn't. Its not the general low esteem thats the problem - its that you've inferred some sort of life changing power to the act of fucking hot pussy.
if you genuinely believed that beating 'all ghillied up' on the old Modern Warfare on highest difficulty would FIX LIFE AND FINALLY MAKE YOU HAPPY then you'd prob get pretty nervous playing that too, finding yourself fumbling it and getting angry at yourself when you can't beat the level. How will you feel when you finally beat it and the game just moves on to the next level and you realise you still feel the exact same way inside? can you imagine that feeling? cool, you got that feeling coming for you when you finally fuck a 10.
I can't give you a quick fix solution here man cos I know there's a real strong drive inside you that TELLS YOU that a hot chick is going to fix the feeling inside you. She isn't bro. This isn't to say that fucking hot chicks isn't fun - it's the most fun and addictive thing that I have found so far in life. But now that it's relatively easy I can honestly say it genuinely isn't fulfilling in any way - not that that's a bad thing or makes it not worthwhile! I take a very buddhist view that NOTHING is truly fulfilling, so I may as well run businesses and fuck hot girls until I die cos those are the most fun ways to pass the time and what else is there to do really?
Im not sure what to say here other than fuck whoever bullied you, fuck your parents for not encouraging you and fuck anyone who put you down. Fuck them, forgive them if you want and move on. Just keep going man, all the lessons Im talking about here are probably ones that you'll need to learn yourself by going through the difficult road of mastering this stuff. I guess all I can report is that the road is worth it - when you look at pussy as FUN rather than LIFE-CHANGING you'll know you've made it.
[–]Torch1999 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
What helped me was:
Some of my answers were: she'd be around someone who is fun, has healthy lifestyle, cool moments playing and sharing music, physical contact, someone who can think for himself and not just an average dude following mainstream dogma. Hope that helps, feel free to DM me if you want.
[–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
A related piece of advice: don't throw your entire identity into the first girl who wants to date you seriously. I was basically in your same situation (shit childhood, overcame obesity), and my first relationship was toxic and set me back years (I gained back the weight and missed out on some great professional opportunities). Continue to prioritize you, even when dating.
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
My guy you already know the answer, you said it yourself. You are haunted by your past. I’m pretty much in the same boat as you. Girls have liked me throughout my life but I have never felt good enough to date them, my love life also has been just short flings with people I’d never date. I am reading a book called waking the tiger healing trauma and that’s been a help man. That’s what you need to do, heal from your past and your trauma. Pickup ain’t gonna help when you are broken internally.
[–]KingAbdul13 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Op are u me ???? Am going through the same thing, despite multiple women’s telling me weekly on my social media about how hot I am, I Just don’t think I am genuinely, even though it help with my ego boost,in a few days my self esteem would be down again, I was also almost overweight/out of shape before , before going to the gym & being in the best shape of my life rn
[–]smoothmax 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
There is a classic self help book called The Six Pillars of Self Esteem. It is by a therapist who spent many years treating patients for this problem.
Neil Strauss once said, "If you read only one book on pickup, read this one."
[–]mixqt 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I have a simple way of dealing with these feelings Ill ask myself “What have I acheived and what am I about to acheive?”
https://youtu.be/YwyVtHIkMnA Use this
[–]amb56 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I have struggled with low self esteem and the ‘not good enough’ attitude for years. Recently I’ve broken out of it big time. For me, the two things that helped were adopting a ‘fuck it’ attitude, and rather than worrying about if I’m good enough for a girl, go into social situations seeing if THEY are right, or good enough, for YOU. Fact is, if you are a kind person and at least somewhat interesting, you have the tools to get girls. The rest is confidence and being comfortable in your own skin.
With a ‘fuck it’ attitude, you detach from the outcome of a situation, and accept that rejection can happen but you’ll be fine in the end. If a girl doesn’t like you, it’s not the end of the world! Just accept that there’s an incompatibility, and be glad you didn’t waste each other’s time. Think of it this way: if you get rejected and they aren’t interested, chances are if you kept pursuing, then somewhere down the road you’ll realize that person isn’t right for you. You can’t force attraction.
Now these mindsets are great and empowering, but to cement them in your brain it’s all about putting them into actual action. Talk to everyone, be social, friendly and charming (even if you have to force it at first, it feels natural over time). And if you feel comfortable doing so, then make your intentions known as you get to know a girl (playful flirting and touching, little comments like “you’re cute” get the point across). Confidence isn’t bragging or boasting, it’s being comfortable and relaxed with who you are, what you do or don’t have, and what you want.
This comment was a bit of word vomit but basically practice goes a long way with socializing and flirting. It took me a while to kinda break out of my fearful shell despite being outwardly attractive, but it has been far worth it. Now, talking to any woman (or person) has become much easier. Girl I’m not attracted to at all? Still no reason not to be friendly and humorous. Girl who I once would have thought to be way out of my league? Guess what, she’s human just like the rest of us. She’s hot, but that doesn’t mean anything else. She shits, eats, sleeps, and sometimes messes things up just like everyone.
There’s a lot of good reading material to address this ‘inner game’ so to speak. For me, 3% man and Models have been my go-to. They not only teach how we should pursue women, but how we should feel and respond to situations, and how we should think of ourselves as strong and centered men.
[–]highjinx411 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I have a suggestion. You are hooking up with lesser attractive women right? So then maybe you can just slowly increase the number ? Like if you date 5s then try for 6s. Also another thing is to just try talking to the real attractive ones with no agenda. That helps. Then you can’t fail because you weren’t really trying. Then later try. Just my advice. I hope it helps.
[–]LendarioSonhador 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I was in a similar situation and I'd say you need to start building a legacy. I never really had something other than looks and a little wit to go along, but after building independence I had something solid to my value. "I made this". Work on something you can be proud of and your self-esteem will rise because of it.
[–]vitamin-cheese 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Keep finding ways to be positive and convince yourself otherwise , there’s always a different perspective to see . Also start achieving some things to make you feel better
[–]BloodMuffin 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Any negative thoughts you think of need to be restated in a mocking tone like cartmans voice whenever he says oh no
[–]PhorTwenT 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Gotta love yourself man! Easier said than done, but the more you practice unconditional self love the better you'll show up in all parts of your life. There's a thing called Loving-Kindness practice that is a type of meditation that is one way of cultivating this, there are other ways too. At the end of the day, there is no one you have to be, nothing you have to do, to be worthy of 100% self love. We only create these artificial standards in our mind because we falsely think that's the way to motivate ourselves but instead it drives us to rash insecurity driven action, that even if successful still keeps us on this not good enough loop. You're enough, and good on you for working on yourself!
I am happy that you improved that much throughout your journey.
I tried acting much more confident than what I was and developed self respect and confidence that way. Never think of yourself as loser and just go for it, if you get rejected who gives a fuck, that is another thing I learnt in constant self improvement throughout my highschool. Not giving a fuck, believe me most of these issues can actually just be solved by such simple things.
[–]archie2012 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
Thanks for your question, I do have this issue as well.
How do you know when a woman is looking at you and is interested?
[–]Torch1999 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Well first you should find out whether or not you are potentially interested in her or not.
Other than that you can see if her body language is closed off, how does she look at you, is her attention primarly on you or somewhere else, is she smiling often or bored? Hope that helps, you can DM me if you need more help.
[–]Teamtoast 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
You and your own combination of qualities is unique to you. No one else. Not one person can be better than you in everything. E.g. yeah sure my friend is a better dancer than I am, but is he as thoughtful as I am?
Thinking like this can help with jealousy too, if that’s ever an issue for you. The two topics are very similar.
[–]TotalTravel 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I don't really know if this is going to help you but as an overweight person for most of my life and even not in the green zone now I can just say that after a point I realized that when you are overweight or have any other problems you see yourself as worse than others but being a person isn't actually about being better or worse everybody is just theirself. What I want to say is have a lot of friends who have better bodies maybe even better personalities than me and those people mostly don't think of themselves as better, as long as they aren't assholes which is actually not as many people as in movies, so once you realize it isn't a race or anything and nobody is better or worse you will also find that your value isn't from 1 to 100 but from like yellow to blue or from purple to red etc. it is just that there are infinitly many colours in between and you are one not more or less than the others. After realizing that I am sure you will also see how valuable you are and find a way to do more for yourself(like working out etc.) because you are valuable for yourself. I am sorry if this doesn't make sense, this is just how I feel about it and I am not really good with words and sorry for my bad english.
[–]corkaxe 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Biased opinion as a biologist: your brain is just an organ, and you can't raise your self esteem by pulling yourself by the bootstrap.
Self-esteem is a complicated and still for many aspects unknown matter. The way I worked around the issue, that I also had (and have) is based on 3 points.
1) Demonstrate your value to yourself. Not being confident is an adaptive trait, if you are very confident you risk being eaten alive or to do very dangerous stuff. Once you have demonstrated to yourself your value, it will slowly rise without you doing a direct effort into it.
When your brain sees that you are actually working out every day, that you keep your shit in order, that you know what you are doing, it will give you more credit
2) Be careful of the stories you tell yourself. Personally I couldn't get much self-value until I understood that I should judge myself, that is ok, but it is ridiculous to have the bar for myself so much higher than for the others. I forgive others mistakes, and I appreciate their trying and failing, while for myself this was not the case. This double standard is crippling and I tried to think "well, if a dear friend of mine did this, what would I tell him? That he is still a piece of shit, or that he is doing swell?"
3) Trust the other people judgement. There are 2 things both people do when they meet: they show the signals of their capacities and value, and they judge the other. As long as your signals are honest, you don't lie about who you are or what you can do, just trust that the it's up to the other person to make the call. "Good enough", but enough for what, or who? It's a highly variable standard, and you should humbly admit that others have their own opinions, and respect them. If she finds you attractive, you are attractive to her. If she doesn't, you were honest and you are working on yourself.
Hope this helps, I'm still in the beginning of a long journey, so don't take what I say as absolute truth, others may reveal more. Just felt like sharing my opinion =)
All the best!
[–]sambuwalda 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
The way I handled this, thanks to Jordan B. Peterson’s book 12 Rules of Life, is to not compare yourself to others but compare yourself to the man you were yesterday. And keep improving. This is exactly the mindset you want to maintain in order to grow self-esteem.
Also consider quitting social media, especially Instagram. People post their most beautiful selected pictures and often even modified to make themselves look better. This might result in you thinking: “All these beautiful and successful people out there, I must probably suck..” I quitted these apps and payed more attention to my direct environment. It made a huge change!
Good luck to you my man, be blessed
For me it was time and experience. Sorry, I think that's the only way.
Therapy can help. Dont seek external validation.
Sounds to me like you are on the right path friend.
[–]Disciple_of_Zen 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
As someone said earlier, you can't solve an internal problem with something external, try studying Philosophy. Stoicism helped me a lot, so I'd recommend that
[–]ImJustSo 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Yeah, I was fat my entire life (330lbs) until I was 27-28. Then for the next two years I had to learn to accept other's attraction towards me. Then for another couple years I had to learn that even just being attractive I still have work to do to keep them attracted, or rather, not do unattractive things.
The way I got over it was to realize that I have no right to take away other people's thoughts. I can't say, "This person definitely thinks I'm ugly" just like I can't say, "This person definitely wants to fuck me".
The only fair thing to do is find out from them what they think about me and acknowledge that it's only my interest in them that motivates my curiosity in what they think. I've done it enough times to know that I'm attractive regardless of what one individual thinks. Some think I'm handsome/sexy, some think I'm not. Their thoughts don't really change the truth, one way or the other. It's just a fact of life that I'm attractive to some and unattractive to others. Just accept it. You're ugly to some, hot to others, and you won't really know who gives a shit until you go find out.
Like, if I ever find myself around Taylor Swift, I'll shoot my shot. If she thinks I'm the hottest thing on the planet, why would I take that away from her? :P
[–]pgken 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
I generally like the comments here, look inward, don’t seek external validation, etc., but.., Reality is reality. Let’s face it - to hook up with a woman requires two people - one of which is external. Real life quickly teaches a man how attractive he is to women. Attempting 50 times with attractive women and being rejected 50 times has meaning. It means you are not attractive enough for that attractiveness level. Lower your standards and then magically you succeed. Bottom line - I can be confident and happy in my own skin (to a degree) but at the same time I can be disappointed and wish I were better looking. I never had the weight problem. In fact I always had a nice body. Unfortunately we can’t change our face.
[–]MrMemper 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
You’re grown and no longer able to blame your past. Everyone has a past. Big deal. All of the responsibility for your life is on your shoulders. What you need to ask yourself regarding attractive women is: why do you perceive a difference? Its just another female mammal of your species.
[–]Asleep-Remote 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
None of these women know your history right? So for all intents and purposes, you are NOT that chubby kid who was bullied. You are who you are RIGHT NOW, because that's all these women see. They see a handsome dude who is in shape. They don't see anything else.
So when you do talk to one of these girls, don't unload your past on them either. You have a beautiful opportunity here to re-invent yourself. You've already done that with your body, now it's time to strengthen the mind and the spirit.
[–]greatlifeahead 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link
Let go of the past. It is meaningless and not true. It is real only in your mind. You have limiting beliefs and when you let go of them you will feel good enough.
[–][deleted] -1 points0 points1 point 6 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link
Listen, I know this is going to be unpopular but it's the same thing people say to girls with average looks: you're probably aiming too high. The girls you're interested in might just be out of your league and maybe you should focus on the people who are intersted in you and you might find a connection there.
Agree, but that doesn't mean you can't become a better and more attractive version of yourself so that you actually are "in their league".
© TheRedArchive 2026. All rights reserved.created by /u/dream-hunter
[–]celluloidchrome7v 204 points205 points206 points (6 children) | Copy Link
[+]creamyturtle -49 points-48 points-47 points (5 children) | Copy Link
[–]shorterthan-ur-avg 30 points31 points32 points (2 children) | Copy Link
[–]creamyturtle 3 points4 points5 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]GhostWCoffee 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Gavitir 5 points6 points7 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Stallrim 2 points3 points4 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Kavalicious 87 points88 points89 points (4 children) | Copy Link
[–]amb56 25 points26 points27 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]facethemusic016 7 points8 points9 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]ApollosSin 0 points1 point2 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]Kavalicious 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]vvvrath12 12 points13 points14 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]relentless_pma 27 points28 points29 points (4 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] (3 children) | Copy Link
[–]ApollosSin 13 points14 points15 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]relentless_pma 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]jawnzoo 40 points41 points42 points (2 children) | Copy Link
[–]gtrman571 21 points22 points23 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]ForgotMyCakeDay 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Kurosawa-Yurine 23 points24 points25 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]ironronoa 3 points4 points5 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]NotYoHabibi 4 points5 points6 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]McLovinReturns 2 points3 points4 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]CookieAdmiral 3 points4 points5 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]blackcokie- 2 points3 points4 points (2 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]blackcokie- 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Wander1900 3 points4 points5 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]blac_snake 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Torch1999 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]KingAbdul13 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]smoothmax 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]mixqt 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]amb56 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]highjinx411 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]LendarioSonhador 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]vitamin-cheese 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]BloodMuffin 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]PhorTwenT 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]archie2012 0 points1 point2 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]Torch1999 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Teamtoast 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]TotalTravel 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]corkaxe 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]sambuwalda 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Disciple_of_Zen 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]ImJustSo 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]pgken 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]MrMemper 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]Asleep-Remote 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]greatlifeahead 0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] -1 points0 points1 point (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]Torch1999 1 point2 points3 points (0 children) | Copy Link