Member-only story
Don’t Look Outside Yourself For Approval, Like a Stoic
Freeing yourself from external validation
Humans have a natural desire to seek approval from others. It’s a part of our social nature to want to be accepted and validated by those around us.
We strive to fit in and be accepted, sometimes at the cost of compromising our values and beliefs.
It’s an exhausting cycle. It can leave us feeling like we are never good enough and constantly seeking validation from others.
This is where the stoic philosophy can come in handy.
The Stoics believed that we should not look outside of ourselves for approval. Instead, we should master and focus on our internal judgment.
“If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize that you have compromised your integrity. If you need a witness, be your own.” Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher, said.
Stoic philosophers believe that seeking external validation or approval is a form of external dependence that could lead to anxiety and a lack of control over your life.
Internal validation can help you to develop a stronger sense of self-worth.
