Has anyone else felt this way?

It isn't whiny at all. You need to express yourself. Accept the compliments you get for the truth. That IS your validation. Learn to like the things about yourself that people comment on the most. You are very insecure but you can learn to love yourself and by doing so you are validating yourself and won't need the approval of others to feel good about yourself. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. There is no one in the world like you. You are special. So accept all the good in you and be joyful that people do say such nice things about you. Self hatred is a waste of precious time in your life and it's an insult to God who made you exactly the way he wanted you. Be thankful instead of disappointed in who you are. Think of yourself the way you do your most loved person in your life. Would you be so critical of them? Probably not. So don't be critical of yourself but learn to appreciate who you are and what you have.