I really don’t like myself, or how I look

I’m a man, in my early 30s and still live at home to help my parents. I purchased a condo two years ago, which will be ready to live in this fall. I have somewhat stable employment, yet I’m not content with my work life and personal life. I want to change a lot of issues about myself.

I’d like to have a good university education and maybe even still have a career as an educator.

I really hate my personal appearance and have self-esteem issues. I never had a significant other. Heck, I never even had a real date. One thing about myself that I really hate is that I’ve nev- er even had sex. Other people my age have had sex with somebody or even with multiple partners. I do like women, but always have a feeling that nothing will work and there’s a problem with the other person or myself.

I’m embarrassed about myself, and every day I wish I were something much better than who I am.

I do speak regularly to a therapist. He tells me everything and anything in life is possible, and it’s up to me to know how to handle anything. My therapy sessions are somewhat helpful, but I always have these negative feelings in me. I don’t know what to do or how to handle anything about myself anymore. What’s my problem? Why can I never change? Frustrated Existence

It’s hard for anyone, not just you, to change several areas of their life at once. Start with what seems doable first, and you’ll find that even one step forward gives you the confidence and courage to take another step. Your new condo is a positive factor . . . when you move there in the fall, it’s the beginning of independence. On your own, you’ll need to get out sometimes with a friend or workmate, or go to an interest group where you meet like-minded others.

Whether it’s a film club, a volleyball team or one of the meetup.com groups, it’s another step forward — including toward meeting someone to have a date, and eventually finding a relationship and sex partner.

Further education is an admirable goal, yet it takes time. While supporting yourself through your job, try an online course to see if that’s workable for you now. If not, consid- er whether another job situation suits you better.

Keep up your therapy sessions, if they help you stay on track with building some confidence in your ability to tackle these positive “steps.”

Feedback: Regarding the man’s complaint that his wife wouldn’t curb her very frequent flatulence (April 3):

Reader: “He states his wife lets off (gas) anywhere and everywhere, since they’ve been married. It’s a normal function of the body to expel gas, but it’s mostly a choice for an individual to not control when and where.

“If you cannot control it, then it’s time to seek medical help. There are many serious health conditions which, when caught early, can greatly affect one’s long-term health. If you can control it, but think it’s funny and OK to ‘let off’ anywhere, there’s just as serious but a different issue going on.

“She has no respect for her spouse. For two years, she hid her flatulence much more. This indicates that she’s well aware it’s not ‘acceptable’ behaviour.

“To the wife: If you love your husband, get help. If you don’t, be honest and let him go. To the husband: How much are either of you willing to compromise, accept, allow?”

Tip of the day Personal change is less daunting if you approach one change at a time to gain confidence. Read Ellie Monday to Saturday. Email ellie@thestar.ca or visit her website, ellieadvice.com. Follow @ellieadvice.