I used to hate myself with the intensity of a thousand burning suns. It was an irrational compulsion, I'd say. Even as an elementary schooler, one of my defining traits that others noticed is how hard I was on myself.
I'm a perfectionist, and I have a very rigid, black and white view of morality. I'm a perpetual doubter and never feel truly sure, which diminishes my confidence . I'm very sensitive to the evil in the world, so I'm more likely to notice my own sins and feel a heightened sense of responsibility. I'm also very reliant on the opinion of others due to my doubting problem. Due to my sensitivity, the negative opinions linger longer than the positive ones.
I'm reminding myself shame renders you worthless and thus incapable of salvation and redemption. If you want to be a good person, you must forgive yourself in order to learn from your mistakes. We all make them. We all sin. It's the core of human nature. Honestly, what even is a good or bad person? It's more nuanced than that.
In a way, it is a sin to be so wrapped up in evil you cannot see the good. For every nasty comment I've been told, there's always a good one. For every victim murdered in a hate crime, there is always an activist starting a movement. For every sin I've committed, I've always learned a lesson I can use to create good deeds.
I don't always know, but I can always learn. If I'm often wrong, how I can be sure if people are right?
If I'm feeling bad, I'm not scum. I deserve compassion. Self love is overrated, but humility is a virtue. I humble myself and try to treat myself with curiosity and respect. It's more fulfilling than utter self-loathing.