tell me some things you like about yourself.

what do you mean?

you spend a lot of time talking about the things you don’t like about yourself, and even more time thinking about those things.  you like to think you’re good at seeing things complexly.  you’ve talked about how your partner has trouble balancing good and bad in her perceptions of others- she tends to see all good or all bad and has trouble admitting negative aspects of people she likes.  you’ve said you think you’re better with that sort of thing.  and i think you’re right, as long as it’s about others.  i think you have a lot of trouble seeing good things about yourself.  tell me some good things about yourself.

just right now?

yes.  you never have trouble of thinking of bad things right on the spot.

um,

it can be anything.  just tell me things about yourself that you like, things that are good about you.

…

• only i am aware of my anxieties
• no one is actually noticing me
• in most situations, it is very unlikely that i don’t know what everyone else knows
• i do not have the power to make others uncomfortable
• if i really did not belong, it would be made clear to me
• if people really did not want to be around me, they would leave
• if people are offended by my behavior it has more to do with them than it does me
• others do like me
• my physical appearance is not notable
• i am good enough, flaws and all
• it is possible that i can be noticed in a positive way
• i am capable of handling anxiety provoking situations
• i am competent
• it is okay to be clumsy sometimes
• i am entitled to make mistakes
• no one is paying attention to me
• i have good qualities
• i am an intelligent person with useful feedback and insights
• i am more sensitive to feedback than others, so i can relax
• my contributions are important, valid, and worthwhile
• my social performance is not always being judged in every situation
• i am not talking too loud