I Want Them To Like Me

Suffering from low self esteem, the critical words of her parents still loud in her head, she sought the attention of others with all her might. She fervently believed that if she tried hard enough, she would be accepted and liked; she would prove her parents wrong.

So accustomed to put-downs, she soaked up any form of flattery with great relish, believing it to be genuine admiration. Most of all, she enjoyed the company of young men who were nothing like her father. A petite, pretty blonde, she found herself the centre of attention at the clubs.

Imagine her shock when her illusion was shattered; over and over again.

She didn't know what love was anymore, and replaced it with sex, drugs and alcohol. Down and down the spiral she went, until she found this was widely expected of her and she was too frightened to say no.

Her lack of respect for herself was contagious, it seemed, as the men drawn to her were now abusing her. This wasn't enough to stop her cycle, she just tried even harder to please, until she had nothing left.

One day, she was sitting in quiet reflection, gazing out at the sea, when inspiration struck her. She realised she'd been doing it all backwards! Looking outside herself for validation clearly didn't work. It dawned upon her that only when she cared about herself, could she expect someone to care about her.