I've been in a pretty pissy mood for the last few days, and have only just realised why:  I've disagreed with the opinions that other people have had, their way of doing something, or just things that are different from how I prefer them to be.  

I have a really hard time accepting that my opinions, ways of doing things, or how I want things to be are not universal, and I get very angry and frustrated when things aren't my way.  The usual thoughts are along the lines of "WHY can't this moron see that what they're thinking is complete idiocy, and accept that I'm right?!".  I basically throw a tantrum like a spoiled 3-year-old, but in my head.

After sitting and thinking about it some more, I realised that the reason I get so irrationally upset is because I see challenges to my way of seeing things as invalidation of my opinions, and therefore invalidation of myself.  For example, if I prefer dark chocolate, and someone says "Dark chocolate is too bitter for me, I only eat milk chocolate" I will immediately take that to mean that my preference for dark chocolate is indicative of me being a useless human being who has no idea what they're talking about and should just as well never have an opinion ever again, since milk chocolate is the only way to go.  So since this person has just basically indicated that I should die in a fire for having a difference in opinion, I get extremely angry and wish *they* would die in a fire instead.

Obviously, this is a very limiting way of looking at the world, and puts me in a terrible mood that makes me come off as hostile and combative.  I just turned down an invitation to go to an art museum because I went to the exhibit website and didn't like the works shown, because clearly the artists are idiots who wouldn't know good taste (like mine) if it bit them in the ass.  But because they haven't produced works that I like, that must mean my preference is wrong, and once again, I'm trash, because if I wasn't, I'd like/agree with the artists' works.

I know this all stems from my non-existent self-esteem, since I don't feel secure enough in my opinions/self to withstand them being challenged.  It's annoying and frustrating immediately jumping to feelings of anger and hurt just because someone did something differently and with no malicious intent whatsoever.

Does any of this sound familiar to anyone else? 