I don't exactly have self esteem issues.
Mine is more in lines of double empathy than internalized crap.
But I have a real frustration over values mismatching.
In which most people value or not value me in ways I either had no idea it's the case or ways I don't even want them to.
Like... People can value me for my digital prowess.
But I don't value the same way since anyone can just learn that even if it's one of my knacks.
They can be proud of it, while I'll be scratching my head for their so called valuing.
Fricking reminds me of those preschool praising.
Or for "my heart" which is utterly baffling to be honest.
But if instead told me it's my ability to put really abstract distinctions whether mental or emotional into words they cannot find, I'll go along with it.
Yet if they, say, value me for being a deterrent against bullies or imagined horrors, I feel my ego swell. If they say they're angry or hate me for being angry, I'd be prideful still.
Then if one calls me a violent prideful fool, I'll take it. I'd rather take it, wholeheartedly, regardless, make it a compliment.
And I still have more self esteem issues as someone who constantly sniffle to breathe than someone who self talks really out loud to stim.
So I don't know.
I cannot relate well to the common accounts around self esteem.
I have a particular emotional profile that I needed a balanced form of pride to grow around with because it's almost if not stronger than my anger.
My anger, at best, is artificially hiked up by unwanted nuisances of human factors, whether psychological or sensory.
My pride wasn't. It's largely unchanged. Sometimes it grounds me, sometimes it gave me trouble.
All the same, I accept constant pride more than constant anger.