7 Signs You Hate Yourself

Many of us feel like we don’t deserve to have our dreams come true

or have good things happen to us.

Sometimes, no matter how far we have made it

or how much we have accomplished,

we still don’t feel content.

The answer isn’t an easy one, but most likely,

it is because we grapple with feelings of self-loathing.

Self-loathing is defined as hatred for oneself

that often manifests as anger, self-sabotage,

a negative view of oneself, and low self-esteem.

It is important to be aware of your feelings

and attitudes toward yourself so you can start to change for the better.

Here are seven signs you may be suffering from self-loathing and just don’t know it.

1. You Tear Yourself Down

Self-hate makes you your own worst critic.

While keeping an eye on your shortcomings is a good thing,

not allowing yourself room to breathe stems

from an immense dislike for your current self.

Harsh Criticism: You think extremely harsh things about yourself and indulge in self-pity so much that tearing yourself down has become a daily habit.
Inability to Forgive: You are so hard on yourself that you can’t forgive yourself when you mess up. You are quick to blame yourself whenever something goes wrong, even if it is not your fault.

Focus on Failures: You never commend yourself for a job well done but rather criticize yourself for even the tiniest of mistakes, plagued by feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

2. You Feel Insecure Around Others

If you find that other people make you feel insecure about yourself a lot,

it might be time to ask yourself why.

Constant Comparison: Most likely, it is because you are constantly comparing yourself to them and feeling like you will never be able to measure up.
Ungratefulness: When you look at someone else, you always focus on all the things they have that you don’t, making you ungrateful for the good things you do have.
Feeling Bad: You can’t help but feel bad about yourself whenever you are around someone who is happy, confident, smart, attractive, or successful.

3. You Neglect Your Self-Care

When you love someone, you want what’s best for them.

If you really loved yourself, you would want that for you, too.

Refusing Pampering: Neglecting your self-care is a form of self-hatred. You don’t sleep well, eat right, exercise, or try to look nice for yourself.

Internal War: It is not that you don’t have the time; it is about refusing yourself the pampering because of a deep-seated grudge. Since your insides are at war with you, it only seems right to let yourself show it outwardly as well.

4. You Don’t Let Yourself Be Happy

You are a pessimist who is quick

at finding the negative aspect in every situation.

Wary of Praise: You are wary of compliments or praise because they seem mocking. You don’t see yourself in a positive light and refuse to believe what others say.
Accepting Criticism: However, you do take criticism to heart because it reinforces your negative view of yourself.
Joyless Existence: You find it hard to feel good about yourself, which sucks all the joy out of your life. You resent the way you are and deprive yourself of delight.

5. You Isolate Yourself From Others

You struggle to maintain relationships

because you feel like you don’t deserve their love.

Feeling Like a Burden: Often, you feel their attention and love are a burden. You don’t consider yourself good enough to remain in their circle.

Self-Exclusion: You stay back because you think they are better off without you, feeling guilty for hanging out with them because you believe your presence is an intrusion.

6. You Put On a Facade for Others

You are one way when you are by yourself

and another when you are around other people.

Wearing a Mask: You wear a mask and don’t let other people see the real you because you hate who you are.
Desire to Be Someone Else: You constantly wish you were someone else, feeling ashamed of your true self. You think no one will ever accept you, so you pretend to be someone you are not.

7. You Are Afraid to Dream Big

Having ambition

and dreaming of something big for yourself scares you.

Smothering Hopes: You smother your own hopes and aspirations because you think you will never be able to achieve them.
Fear of Failure: The possibility of failure and rejection terrifies you. You easily feel discouraged and worthless the moment you encounter a setback, denying yourself opportunities to grow.

Summary

We all have self-destructive behaviors

that are toxic to our mental health.

So many of us struggle with feelings of insecurity, emptiness,

and worthlessness that can lead to hating ourselves.

Becoming more aware of your self-hatred makes

it easier to overcome it.

With time, patience, support, and dedication,

you can learn to love yourself and live a happier, healthier life.