You have to look at the discrepancy between what you hoped and imagined and the reality of yourself and all your shortcomings.

Rarely has reality needed so much to be imagined.

My mother hoped I'd be a plumber.

If you look up at the Milky Way through the eyes of Carl Sagan, you get a feeling in your chest of something greater than yourself. And it is. But it's not supernatural.

Once you come to terms with your shortcomings and not chase a mirage of an imaginable perfect person you’ll be able to do more justice with your life. Learn to appreciate and love yourself.

I wasn't getting the responses I hoped for. You can't protect yourself from other judgments.