Exactly as You Are

On one of the many visits to therapists during the intermittent periods of my life when I was heartbroken, a psychologist told me: "If you chase approval, you'll never get it. The only place that will ever satisfy you for approval is your inner light.”

Now more than ever, and with the rise of social media platforms, we find ourselves constantly seeking approval from others. We crave that validation, hoping that it will boost our self-esteem and make us feel accepted. Make us feel important and needed. We seek recognition and praise from our colleagues, our bosses, our family, our friends, and even from people we don't know.

But the problem with this constant quest for approval is that it will make inner peace unreachable for you. If you measure your self-worth based on the number of followers you have, the likes on your posts, the positive feedback you receive, or the recognition for your work, you will never feel satisfied; it will never be enough. It won't make you happy. You'll always need more and more.

Paulo Coelho once wrote:

Why do you seek approval? Why do you care that much of what other people think about you? Who do you want to impress? Why do you want to be seen as smart and successful?

Your worth is not determined by the opinions of other people. Your worth is not determined by your achievements or possessions. Your worth is determined by the very fact that you are here. Your life is as precious as anyone else's. Believe it. You are as important as anybody else in this world. You are needed in the great scheme of things, playing your part in the wonderful game of life.

Embrace your individuality, you are unique. Stop trying to impress other people. Stop trying to get their approval. The only validation you need is inside of you. Accept yourself exactly as you are, exactly where you are.