Hi @Captain24
Poor self-esteem can start in childhood - if we consistently fail to live up to other people's expectations - which can be unrealistic for our age or abilities - then the idea that we are not good enough can imprint onto our brain and that takes a lot of effort and self-awareness to overcome.
When we are adults and people are critical - possibly the same ones who gave us a hard time when we were little and vulnerable - the of course we listen to those messages and our unconscious mind says: "Ha! - I know it all the time. I'm not good enough".
But it is not the truth - it takes time and effort to overcome the past - we have no control over what we were like as children or how we have reacted until we knew better - however - the good news is that we are able to tell ourselves that we are okay - we are worthy - we can achieve - we are important.
I'm not a psychologist - I have had the opportunity to pick up some relevant information on my way through life. My mother was constantly critical of me all my life - luckily I had support from other members of my family who gave me a better opinion of myself.
I believe it's important to find a therapist to help you find that better part of yourself rather than just hating yourself - which is actually the easier way to listen to your internal dialogue. Changing that is hard work - people here will help - I hope I have given you an idea of a better path.
It won't be easy - I hope you can see a better way to live and be the Captain of your own life.
Owlunar