Is it normal to hate myself so much?

We've all been there... Questioning your actions, feeling angry, sad, depressed about things you could have done differently. But here is the thing... Usually psychologists boil the whole self hate thing down to "mommy didn't hug you enough" and I think it's absolute bullshit...

I was raised in a kind, loving and supportive family with wonderful parents that loved me and let me know that they were proud of me. I fondly think about everything they have done for me and wish to do the same for them in their elderly years. I wasn't bullied in school. Nothing out of the ordinary school conflict. I went to university and got a degree in economics and I have a good paying job with little stress and get 4 weeks paid vacation every year. I have a loving girlfriend who lives with me and is there to support me every step of the way and I love her dearly. I even managed to save enough money to start up my own business and bought a 1980s E24 635CSI BMW (dream car of mine), car guy thing...

But deep down I hate myself. I hate all the mistakes I've made, all the times I've been an idiot and made the wrong choice! I could have had enough money to retire by 30 if I played my cards right.

And it's the same thing every day. I would get up, think about how I hate myself on the way to work, work, lead meetings, talk to people and seal deals and on the way back I'd lose myself in fantasies about crashing into something at 200kmh and just ending this nightmare, but I know I could never do this. My parents and girlfriend would be devastated... I could never put them through such a nightmare. So I go home, I act normal, I have dinner with my girlfriend and we watch something together on tv and after she falls asleep, I drink whiskey. A couple glasses of Chivas, or whatever else we have lying around usually help me to get to sleep and numb the negative feelings. I would go to bed happy and relaxed. I'd sleep soundly, only to wake up to a new fresh hell...

And the worst part is that I was never like this. I was always an optimist. A go-getter, a dreamer who would surge forwards. But in the past 6 months, I have turned into a self-loathing mess. I hate this person, that I have become. I hate being this pathetic mess! I hate this me! I want to be the old me, the lucky, smiling sarcastic guy, but sadly he is gone. It's like this me is like a ghost that replaced the old me. Even the fucking classic car I bought doesn't bring me any joy. I had plans for it, I wanted to restore it an go on a Riviera trip with my girlfriend, but here it is sitting under a tarp for five months, while I continue this destructive loop... I've even neglected my Mercedes. Every summer, I would spend hours happily waxing and polishing it. This summer I skipped this little ritual. This summer while I was back home with my parents, I was sitting outside, while they were sleeping. A stray kitten came up to me and hopped on my lap and started purring. All I could do is look at it and break down and cry. Why would the poor little thing want to be with me?! I hate this me with a passion! I want to change, but I can't... I don't need pity. I don't want to talk to my inner child, or do yoga, or any of that junk! That's fucking nonsense!
I don't want to talk to my girlfriend, or parents, or anyone close about this, because I don't want them to worry about me. It's like I'm stuck on repeat in a never ending nightmare.
How do I get out of this hole? And is there anyone else with similar feelings? Please share.

If you made it this far, thank you and congrats!

Yes, I experience something similar. 9
No, it's not that bad. Life goes on... 3
I live in a yoghurt commercial and everything is perfect. 0
These choices are rubbish, I'll comment instead. 3
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Comments ( 8 )
  • Gutterpuppy

    I've lived similar experiences... and actually, I still do. The strange difference is that I don't consciously blame or hate myself for it (even if I actually do) it's like I have a mental block. The reason why is because I don't really have anyone around me that I can reach out to that would actually give me the help I needed. People are so selfish, even when it comes to things of life-or-death circumstances. To really "get help" I'd have to move in with my Mom, who loves me unconditionally, but then I would have to leave my whole life behind, including my wife of 15+ years, who's followed me through sickness and misery. I just can't do it.

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    • megadriver

      The thing is that the only people I could share this with is my parents and my girlfriend. I don't want to worry them. My mum is on meds and my dad has an artificial heart valve. Stress and worry is the last thing I want to put them through. My girlfriend would probably be sympathetic and probably cry. Again, not something I want to do. The good news is that things have gotten better. I've been busy with my job and my own business and never really had time for self hate. And since I was busy at work, I made more money and I feel good when I have money.
      Recently bought a new Mercedes and for the past two weeks I've been genuinely happy. For once I can't wait for the weekend to come, so I meet up with friends, or mess about with my project car. Damn thing still doesn't run properly, but we are getting there... Anyway, thanks for your reply. Means a lot.

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  • LuxM4G

    Well, have considered using the professional help of a therapist? Perhaps even try on some medication, namely SSRI's.

    I'm a stoic person by nature and i tend to never regret my choices, i live by the sword and shall die by it, on my feet, never on my knees, with honor and integrity.

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  • Hateful1

    Mid-life crisis. Everyone does this.

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    • megadriver

      Would have made sense if I was in my 40s... I'm 25.

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      • Hateful1

        Doesn't matter. Same thing.

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  • BTSisthecauseformydeath

    It is normal to experience feelings like this. Everyone can relate in one way or another. I try to stay away from thoughts like that all the time, but sometimes it just doesn't work. Find someone in real life that you can relate to. Find some sort of happiness in your life that can help fill that hole. It may take a while, but it will soon go away. Even though you may still have thoughts from time to time, find a way to distract your mind.

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    • megadriver

      I think I did... I was so busy at work and at my own business, I never had time for self hate. And in that time, I made more money and started feeling good. Even bought a new Mercedes. For the past two weeks, I'm my old self. I can't wait for the weekend to come, so I can get together with all my friends to celebrate something, or grill at my place, or just mess around with my cars. Feels good to be my old self again. Now I can drink Chivas Regal and dream of what's to come, instead of dying. I plan on how to invest better to make more money and maybe achieve that dream of retiring not by 30, but maybe by 40...
      Thanks for your comment and sorry for my very late reply.

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