Hey Tricia!
I'm 20 years old and I'm gay. The problem is that I live in a really small town where everyone knows everybody. I was always made fun of in school for being the gay kid. Years of being made fun of and hearing that something is inherently wrong with me because I am gay, has taken a serious toll on my self-esteem, as well as my mental health. I have been battling depression for years, and have recently been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression and severe anxiety. The doctors have me on a lot of medication to try and help. I have lost almost all of my self-esteem. I feel as though people reject me because of my sexual orientation, and those who don't know wouldn't accept me the way I am either. I feel that I am not worthy of having anything, and quite frankly feel like a complete outcast where I live because I'm not "normal." People make rude comments, smirking and laughing, talking behind my back, and leaving me website posts calling me a "fag" and other rude posts. That is what hurts the most. I understand that not everyone is going to agree with the choices I make, but that doesn't give them the right to treat me as less of a person. I just wanted some advice on how to improve my self-esteem and how to not feel like an outcast in society. I feel unworthy and that I don't deserve anything because I am different from everyone else. I want to take back my power and not let the fear of rejection, the feeling of unworthiness, and the feeling of not being good enough continue to bring me down. Thanks.
Asketh - Anonymous

Hi Anonymous. 

You know what I love that I just noticed as I hit reply?  That although your message is about you being depressed and looking for advice on self-esteem, you addressed me with “Hi Tricia!”  An exclamation point!  This shows that you have a lot of life in you!  Or maybe you hit it by mistake..either way. I am stoked for you!

My biggest advice to you, is my favorite quote of all time.  I have a tattoo on my left arm to represent it, as a constant reminder:

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”- Eleanor Roosevelt

I often re-phrase it as: “The only person who can make me feel inferior, is myself.”

I totally get that you are up against a lot, but none of it matters.  You matter!

When you become confident in yourself.  When you love yourself and let go of any judgments coming at you, really the entire world is stripped of everything that can hurt you. 

The truth is that all of us, no matter our sexual orientation, no matter where we are, no matter who we are, will always be judged.  But, none of that matters, because the only real judge of you, is you.

For more goodness, check out my recorded webinars. xo