Reader struggles with dating and having low self-esteem

DEAR AMY » I’m 26 years old, and live in a large city.

I have a wide circle of close friends, but I’ve always struggled with dating. My longest relationship lasted for about two years, and that ended nearly five years ago.

My friends and family often tell me, “You can’t love someone if you don’t love yourself.”

I know the reason people say this is because I have never loved myself. I was a very anxious child; as a teenager I was diagnosed with body image dysmorphia and depression. I have battled (and have conquered) an eating disorder, as well.

I am in therapy and take medication. I have a stable job, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet. Sometimes I receive compliments from people about my appearance, but I feel they are just giving a compliment in order to be nice.

Although I lack selfconfidence, I believe I appear confident on dates (“confidence is attractive!” right?), but I don’t believe I come off as haughty. I’m careful to take things slowly, but also express interest.

I sometimes have multiple dates with one person, but eventually the connection fizzles out. Although I always expect that to happen, I will happily put in the effort.

Do you agree with my friends? Do you think that others can see right through someone with low self-esteem?

— Not Confident in

Nebraska DEAR NEBRASKA » I agree with your friends and family — and what I think they are trying to tell you is that the most important relationship you will ever have, is the one you have with yourself. In that regard, there is always room for growth!

To some degree, meeting and matching is a confidence-busting experience for anyone. When things don’t pan out, you will always ask yourself, “Is it ME? Am I the problem?” No doubt, many of the people you’ve matched with are also doubting themselves.

I hope you realize that much of what you are doing is SO right! You are dealing with your physical, emotional, and mental health challenges, and it seems that you have come a long way from the anxious child you once were.

To build on your successes, you will have to practice ways of getting out of your own head. Develop and deepen your platonic friendships. Work on deliberately switching your internal focus to others. Train yourself to trust other people enough that when they compliment you, you actually believe them.

True confidence is not conveyed by acting confident, but by being comfortable enough in your own skin to simply be yourself. The goal is to meet someone who really “sees” you, and who likes and accepts you — just as you are. And that will take time, patience, and the willingness to grow and change.