I’m quitting the addiction to approval, the endless cycle of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and validation-seeking that leaves us exhausted and anxious.
For too long, I’ve been driven by the craving to be noticed, liked, invited, or praised. Whether it’s a comment on social media, a “subscribe,” or a pat on the back, those little hits of validation only last so long. In the end, they feed the wrong thing, our pride and our fear.
And I believe I’m not the only one who struggles with this.
The Trap of People-Pleasing
If you’ve ever wrestled with people-pleasing or the pressure to perform, you know how toxic it can become.
The addiction to approval is subtle but dangerous. It shapes us into chameleons, constantly shapeshifting to meet other people’s expectations. The result? We lose ourselves piece by piece.
- We crave compliments to feel valued.
- We attach our worth to invitations or opportunities.
- We confuse being loved with being noticed.
And beneath it all lies something deeper: pride. We’ve bought into the belief that we need applause in order to perform, or praise in order to lead. It’s a trap! Feeding anxiety, insecurity, and burnout.
👉 Watch my story on people-pleasing and anxiety on YouTube.
Detoxing from Validation
This detox isn’t about food or fitness. It’s about ridding our hearts and minds of the toxic patterns that come with approval addiction.
Like building a Lego set, each small piece—each choice to let go of approval—creates something stronger and more beautiful. Some days, the pieces feel scattered. Other days, they click together perfectly. But over time, the bigger picture becomes clear: freedom from anxiety and people-pleasing.
Finding Freedom in God’s Love
Here’s the truth I’m holding onto:
- I don’t need to earn love.
- I don’t need to perform to be valued.
- I don’t need to be invited to know I belong.
God’s love isn’t based on likes, comments, or performance. It’s unconditional, steady, and freeing.
Anchoring myself in His love means I can live in the moment, without the weight of anxiety or the constant need for approval. This is where true spiritual growth and peace are found.
👉 Watch this reflection on God’s unconditional love.
An Invitation to Join Me
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I stop seeking approval?” or felt stuck in the cycle of anxiety and people-pleasing, you’re not alone.
I’m documenting my detox journey through faith, creativity, and storytelling. On my YouTube channel and TikTok, I share personal stories and dive into Scripture, all while learning to break free from validation and walk in freedom.
RVN 