I've always suffered insecurity about my looks. I've been teased about them for many years, especially in school. Even now (I'm 21) I still hear about how I look like some unattractive famous person etc. I know that it shouldn't bother me but it really does. I can't stop feeling like the ugliest guy out.

Enough of the sob story, I'm no virgin, and I've hooked up with some pretty hot girls, so I know I really am not that unattractive. I also have read some good points about how you can never win by comparing yourself to others, and that it's only perception of my looks, not my looks themselves that holds me back. Of course I'm starting to dress better, and go to the gym and all that.

Even though I know all this, it still doesn't make me feel any more secure about my looks, as soon as I see a photo or video of myself, I see all my flaws and feel pretty terrible about myself. Even though I know it shouldn't.

So anyway I have a couple of questions:

  • Should I be trying to truly believe that I am attractive, or should I be trying to accept myself and become secure about being unattractive?

  • How do I go about getting over this insecurity? How can I know that I'm actually progressing? It's not like going tot he gym where there's measurable improvement.

Thanks.