Confidence is never a permanent state. In any field if you are an expert, but make a couple of mistakes, you can start to doubt your ability and your confidence will suffer. You remember the recent mistakes rather than the 1000s of previous successes.
If you have a problem liking yourself, get in the habit of reminding yourself of what IS nice/good about you and good about your life. Have things around you to remind you (perhaps keep a portfolio) - keep compliments, records of success, pictures of people you love, reminders of things you enjoy.
You can still make friends whatever you think about yourself - the trick is not to think about yourself but be genuinely interested in others. Pursue interests, meet others through social activity that revolves around mutual interests. The more you focus on them, and not worry what they think of you, the easier it becomes for genuine friendship to emerge. "To make a friend, be a friend" (cannot remember who said that).
David |