Insecure and Critical as a Result

[canadaski]

I am very insecure and have very low self esteem. I feel that it may be impacting my relationships. I really want to be a likeable person as I like people but am very insecure due to life events so I always avoided people. I even point out flaws and am always talking about people I don't like when I really don't mind them. I want to be able to give sincere compliments and say thank you when someone compliments me. I want to be more easy going.

Do you have any practical tips to:

Be more easy going and social and not constantly fear that people really hate me.
State positive traits of people rather than negative stuff. The way I talk, it seems like I hate everybody but I really don't.
In general be more secure and happy with myself


Is it too late to fix a friendship that may be falling apart due to my insecurity?

[Destructive Impulse]

I struggle with #1
For number 2 I always remember I'm not perfect and I focus on my own flaws instead of others (which kinda makes me a self centered asshole but that's besides the point)

[Skyhawk]

How good of an actor are you?


Try acting (almost) ridiculously happy, it'll seem normal to others, though I usually talk to idiots so anything goes in my social life.