[markerz]

Overall, I enjoyed the essay and agree with the messaging. However, there were a few sentences that threw me off. I personally struggle with self-esteem issues, and I found these words extremely triggering, despite being sandwiched between words of self-affirmation.

> My best wasn't good enough. I'm not good enough.

> I don't mind feeling ugly or low-status or whatever -- I know my place.

> I don't need (or deserve) your sympathy.

It's difficult to tell if this is just rhetoric / sarcasm, or if the writer successfully processed through these initial feelings. Either way, I take these moments seriously because it's not healthy to let these feelings grow.

If you feel like you're struggling, I encourage you to talk to someone -- preferably a therapist, but anyone supportive works like a friend or family.

If you're adamant about not talking to someone, consider reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown.

[3shv]

So what would the therapist convince him of? That his work was brilliant irrespective of the outcome? That's just gaslighting. (Not to say that the interview evaluation was fair)

[sceptic123]

You would hope that it would help him come to an acceptance of himself in such a way that he was less likely to engage in this kind of negative self talk.