Self-esteem and confidence

Anyone been through a journey of self love? How was it? Any tips on how to improve confidence and accept yourself? Any stories? Feel free to share

I’ve struggled with BDD and an extremely low self esteem since I was a child. I have put on some weight due to quarantine and etc, the clothes seem to actually fit me better? That made me realize that I always got baggy clothes. I would normally beat myself for gaining weight and feel horrible.. but now I am starting to accept that I’m not perfect. I’ve been doing online therapy and have been listening to positive affirmations. I am falling in love with myself, but I still struggle to act confident around others. I avoid going out, because I am afraid that I won’t dress well or look good to my friends and strangers. That makes me relapse; I’d go back to self loathing and being fixated on my flaws and how some are impossible to fix or would cost me a fortune 😭😭😭 and even if I’m starting to like how I look.. I’m not sure others will like me. I hate that it matters to me, I wish I could not care what people think, but I do.