"When your self worth depends upon the approval of others, you give away your power."
In today's episode, I dive deep into a struggle I know intimately well – the exhausting cycle of seeking external validation and approval from others. As someone who spent years over-performing, people-pleasing, and silencing my own needs just to earn a nod of approval, I understand the toll this takes on our emotional well-being and sense of self.
I explore how our self-worth often becomes tangled in others' opinions, especially in today's world of social media validation, turning us into emotional yo-yos – high when approved of, low when criticized or ignored. The truth is, when our worth depends on someone else's opinion, we give away our power and lose touch with our authentic selves.
Throughout the episode, I share personal stories of how this approval-seeking showed up in my relationships and work, leaving me constantly striving yet never feeling enough. I outline clear signs to help you identify if you're caught in this validation trap – including anxiety without feedback, constant comparison, fear of expressing real thoughts, and achievements that feel empty.
Most importantly, I offer a practical, four-step approach to breaking free: identifying limiting core beliefs, practicing self-compassion, reclaiming your inner voice, and building self-trust. These steps are complemented by actionable tools including powerful affirmations, journaling prompts, mindfulness practices, and transformative questions to reconnect with your authentic self.
This episode is your invitation to stop chasing approval and start embracing the beautiful truth that you are inherently worthy – not because of what you achieve or who approves, but simply because you exist.
Resources:
Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/
Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
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