@neologist,
I think it is important to have self regard, and further, to enjoy, much of the time, being yourself, talking with yourself. Wisescracking with yourself. Getting serious with yourself. But as I said earlier, look around. When I say look around, I mean it in many ways. Walk down the street and enjoy the air, indeed enjoy being able to walk, the physicality of it; savor the beauties, even the small beauties, pay attention to the trees, the animals, and the people. Me, I started to change from being all about myself as a young teen, shy as could be, when I went to work in a hospital after school, for seven more years, until university graduation. Right from the beginning I was working with people that were so different from myself and started catching on to their interests and concerns and what they thought was funny, conversations happened, even while working. The world opening up. I'm still in contact with a couple of those people.
Now I'm an older woman who enjoys different cities and countries and reads a lot about them, and have sometimes gotten to visit. If anything, I've too many interests. That's not to push that on others, interests vary - just to say that looking, curiosity, enjoyment of beauty have been part of my happiness. Loving people, that too, a lot of the time.
As long as you're on board...come on over Red Rover.
