Need for Approval
Need for Approval
The desire to be recognized, accepted, and valued by others. While this is a natural human need, when it becomes excessive, you can lose your own sense of standards and become controlled by others' opinions.
Details
What Is the Need for Approval?
The Need for Approval is a fundamental psychological desire to be loved, respected, and seen as worthy by others. It holds an important place in Maslow's hierarchy of needs as the 'esteem need.'
Healthy vs. Excessive Need for Approval
The need for approval itself is natural and healthy. However, its impact on your life depends on how strong it becomes:
Healthy Need for Approval:
Excessive Need for Approval:
The Roots of Excessive Need for Approval
An excessive need for approval often stems from childhood experiences:
Building Inner Approval with Mindy
Mindy believes the most important approval is the approval that comes from within yourself. Others' approval is a wonderful bonus, but it is not what determines your worth.
Each night before bed, try writing down three things you did well that day. Even the smallest things count — like 'I got up early today' or 'Even though it was tough, I greeted someone with a smile.' This practice will strengthen your inner muscle of self-approval.
💡 Real-Life Example
Posting a photo on social media and repeatedly checking the number of 'likes' — then thinking 'Maybe I'm just not attractive enough' when the response is low — is a moment when an excessive need for approval is at work.
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This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.