Fighting the low self-esteem monster

[Unknown Member]

Hi Yozakura,

I’m no expert but that doesn’t sound like low self-esteem to me. You may be in the throws of a type of depression. I’m in no way qualified to diagnose such things, I only speak from my experience.

If you believe it may be a mild depression, consider these:

Try 5-HTP, it is an OTC amino acid that helps with depression, anxiety and sleep

Get in a routine, bring some structure back if you’ve been missing that (your Sir can certainly help here)

Get some regular exercise and make sure you are getting enough sleep

Set some small goals (or ask Sir to do that for you) and work on reaching them. Celebrate reaching those goals regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant they may seem

I really hope you can break out of your funk.

PK

[yozakura-prema]

Thanks PK. I think you’re right. I thrive on routine and structure and the new job has really changed my daily and weekly routine that I have had for the last 113 years. I really thought that I would be adjusted by now. I just don’t want my mood to affect our dynamic. It’s strange because even though I am submitting to Sir by having this new job, I still feel like I am not being very submissive because I am not home all day cooking and cleaning.

[staci]

Hi Yozakura,

I hate to hear you are struggling so much. I have 3 strategies for dealing with depression that consistently improve my mood.

1. I have a playlist of songs that make me feel like I can conquer the world. I don’t know about you, but when I am in a dark place, I tend to choose music that reinforces my mood and helps me wallow. So I do the opposite. My “snap out of it” playlist includes True Faith by New Order, Head On by Jesus and Mary Chain, and Quicksilver by The Cruxshadows among other titles.

2. Because whatever I focus on tends to appear bigger, I make a gratitude list of all the things that are going well in my life. Even on my worst days, I live in the wealthiest country in the world and I am relatively safe. I have air conditioning, internet access, and there is food in the pantry (not always the yummiest stuff, but I am never in fear of starvation). Most of the world’s populations would trade their problems for mine in a heartbeat.

3. I try to help someone else. Whether it is packing up donations for a homeless shelter, bringing dinner to a mom with a child in the NICU, or just calling to check on someone that you know is having a hard time, I guarantee you that opportunities abound to ease someone else’s pain. When I reach out to help someone else, it pulls me out of my own tailspin.

If you try all of that, and nothing works… Call me.

Love you bunches,
Staci

[subMarie-CSM]

Yozakura,

Does it seem worse this time of the year than others? I am just wondering if it could be seasonal depression. I tend to get tired and achy when my Vitamin D is low. I take this regularly with some magnesium. It helps me a ton.

Also, make sure you have your thyroid levels checked. Make sure they run ALL of the tests. Long story short, I went through a period of time my mood was all over the place. On top of that I had extreme insomnia. I knew something was wrong. I had to go to at least 5 difference Endocrinologists and finally found one that listened to me. I ended up having a bad thyroid (with cancer in the very early stages) and ended up having it removed. Once it was removed and on the right medication I was myself again. Just get it checked because you never know!

[yozakura-prema]

I totally forgot about the vitamin D! Duh! I live in a place where winter lasts 9 months. How can I forget that? LOL! Maybe it is mild seasonal depression, but here’s why I think I have low self esteem. (Just one example.) I was doing some last minute stocking stuffers shopping with Sir last Sunday when a total stranger complimented my outfit and told me that I looked like a fashion doll. I freaked out and hid behind Sir. When she was gone he scolded me asking why I didn’t say thank you. My response was, “because when people compliment me, I automatically think that they are being sarcastic and making fun of me.” Is that normal?