What rating should I call myself a chess player?

At what rating should I call myself a chess player and how can I overcome "over respect" for high ratings players. I get nervous and make unnecessary blunders when playing high ratings players. Please I need professional advice. Thank you.

That is very relative.

For people who do not play or study, a chess player is anyone who knows the rules.

For people who regularly compete for the world champion title, a chess player is someone (at least) in the top 50 of the world... sometimes these elite players have made comments about how there are only a handful of "real" chess players in the world!

So the answer is it depends on who you usually play with and what you aspire to be. And your answer may change from year to year.
 

As you improve you realize that you never really feel very different when playing peers. Your games still have inaccuracies. You still sometimes feel lost, you still sometimes miscalculate and misevaluate.

So as you improve you realize that the players you used to think were invincible are very human. They have doubts and misunderstandings just like every player. This is also true for world champions.

So high rated players are probably better than you, but try not to be nervous! If you play well you can beat them. Their rating does not protect them against good moves! And even if you lose, as long as you are able to play your usual type of game, there will be good lessons to learn.

I am not a psychologist or a chess coach. Sorry about that!