My (24F) boyfriend (25M) is extremely well-known and well-liked and his popularity is making me self-conscious

My (24F) boyfriend (25F) is extremely well-liked and well-known and sometimes I feel self-conscious because of his popularity

Context: I (24F) grew up in a small-ish community and was relentlessly bullied from kindergarten to highschool graduation because I went to school with the same cohort of kids who just didn’t like me. I spent pretty much the first 17 years of my life feeling like I was too ugly or too unlikeable or too “uncool” for everyone and although it seems so long ago, sometimes this feeling still affects me.

I went to college and everything changed (cliqué I know) but now I’d like to think I’m pretty well-adjusted. I have problems here and there but manage with therapy and my loved ones.

My boyfriend (24) on the other hand has always been popular since childhood. He’s always been cute, kind, generous and a very well-loved person. He’s a total sweetheart and we’re in a great healthy relationship.

Me and him are in the same small-ish industry and just got together more than a year ago. While I’m not a total lemon, my bf is really really popular and well-liked/respected. Honestly I feel really proud to be with such a good person!

However, I’ve been feeling lately like I’m not “cool” enough again as we’ve slowly begun to hang out with more of his friends (restrictions are relaxing in our region). They are all similarly well-respected or talented or popular in our industry and honestly it’s more than a little intimidating to me. Some of his friends were definitely mentor-like figures to me and getting to know them makes me feel awkward about my own merit in both work and how “cool” I am as a person.

I know this is sorta childish sounding and I do have problems with self-esteem anyway but this particular line of thinking has been really hard to work through... I could really use some advice here, I feel like the new kid on the first day of school! lol

TL;DR: My bf IS the popular kid and I’m the odd one and I feel self-conscious and lame when I meet his similarly cool friends. Help.

Submitted April 06, 2021 at 12:05AM by amazeingamy https://ift.tt/2PB7i0U