Have you ever stopped to ask yourself:
💭 Is this what I want?
Or is this what I think I should want?
From a young age, many of us learn to seek approval from parents, teachers, mentors, and other authority figures. Over time, that desire for validation can become so automatic that we lose touch with our own wants, values, and inner knowing.
We pursue certain goals.
We make certain choices.
We follow certain paths.
But are they aligned with who we truly are—or are they driven by a desire to gain approval, avoid disappointment, or prove our worth?
This is a conversation worth revisiting.
In this podcast episode with Dr. Michael Hersh, we explore the role external validation plays in our lives and why self-awareness is such an important part of living intentionally.
We also discuss something many parents struggle with: how to accept our adult children’s choices without necessarily agreeing with them.
As parents, we’re often used to being the rule-makers. But there comes a point when our children begin writing their own stories.
Can we love them without controlling them?
Can we accept them without needing them to follow our script?
These are not easy questions, but they’re important ones.
✨ What would change if you trusted your own voice more than the approval of others?
If this topic resonates with you, this episode is worth another listen. https://thoughtworkmd.com/37-approval-vs-acceptance-with-dr-arpita-gupta-depalma/
