Hello, host! I really hope my answer can help you out.
As a wife and a woman, I understand your feelings very well. I want to hug you and hope you can feel some support and warmth. There was a time when I was also very cautious, always seeking the attention and approval of others, the praise and affirmation of my loved ones, and the support and understanding of my husband. But I found that I was just like you. Not only could I not get the attention and approval of others, but when others gave me even the slightest advice, I felt it was a rejection and criticism of me. I became sensitive and vulnerable, and felt that the whole world was grey and gloomy. But I got through it! And you can too!
Later, I had an epiphany! I realized that I was actually heading in the wrong direction. Trying to get others to pay attention to and recognize you is not a path to happiness. It is the opposite of happiness, because we can never get stable attention and recognition from the outside world. We need to understand that no matter how good we are, there will still be people who don't like us, but no matter how bad we are, there will still be people who care about us and like us.
This means that we can't expect to find stable external attention and recognition. It's simply not possible to please everyone, and we can't realistically expect anyone to give us 24/7 attention and recognition. But here's the good news:
The good news is that we can solve this problem by turning inward and giving ourselves the stable attention and recognition we need, as well as support and affirmation from ourselves.
Guess what! Psychology says that when we're lacking something internally, we'll go looking for it externally.
The fact that we crave the support and recognition of others shows that we have an amazing opportunity to support and recognize ourselves more! While external sources can never give us stable attention and support, we can choose to stop looking for it and start embracing our own amazing qualities.
And the great news is that when you are satisfied with yourself internally and when you approve of yourself enough, you will also feel that other people are satisfied with you and approve of you!
The good news is that the solution is simple! We just need to adjust our direction and learn to approve of ourselves and take care of ourselves. When you approve of yourself enough and can take care of your own feelings, you will find that you no longer need the care and approval of others so much, because you already have it within yourself!
So, how can we achieve self-support and self-acceptance?
First, I stopped doubting and attacking myself. I started practicing self-acceptance and self-affirmation, and it was a total game-changer!
If we always think it's our own problem and that we must have done something wrong to not get what we want, we will of course feel very drained. This really makes you feel tired, and this is what we often refer to as mental depletion. But there is another way!
The truth is, as long as we've put our best foot forward, it's all good! We can only control our efforts, and as for the outcome, we can simply let nature take its course.
I'm excited to share two simple yet powerful ways to shift your mindset and start feeling great! First, start replacing self-doubt and self-attack with self-affirmation and self-acceptance. For example, you've tried your best, and even if you haven't achieved the result you wanted, you can still celebrate your efforts and value them. Second, remember that you have no control over what others think or do. Each of us is an amazing, independent individual. The reason why they are who they are now is due to their unique growth experience, living environment, and educational background. If they don't want to change, that's okay! You can't change someone else, but you can choose to be happy and positive.
So, let's accept others for who they are! Let's stop forcing them to be something they're not. When you do this, you'll never become disheartened or angry when they behave or think in a way that doesn't meet your expectations.
Do you want to feel more confident? Try the amazing self-praise mirror exercise! Simply say "I approve of myself!" to yourself in the mirror hundreds of times a day. Look your best friend in the eye and say it from the heart. You might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but that's totally normal. Just keep going and you'll feel more confident than ever!
And then, it's time to see your strengths and value yourself!
Once, I was in a stage where I desperately needed the approval of others. One characteristic of this stage was that I always saw my own shortcomings and inadequacies. I was not good at cooking, I didn't know how to do housework, and I didn't know how to raise a child. But during that period of time, I kept focusing on these inadequacies. Every day, I felt that I was so bad, that I couldn't do this or that, and that I really couldn't do anything well. As you can imagine, I was very negative every day.
But when I shift my focus to the part of my strengths and see my own value, my feelings are completely different—and they're amazing!
I am really good at writing, studying, and taking exams, so I have obtained many certificates! I also share what I have learned with others in the form of articles. In this way, I feel great every day because I can do these things and I don't think others can. What's more, I can help those in need through my own efforts, which makes me feel really good about myself!
So, it's time to see more of your own merits, play up your advantages, and realize your own value! You'll become more and more self-accepting, and it's going to be amazing!
And finally, exercise your own autonomy! Work not for others, but for yourself.
When we do something for someone else, we often feel less motivated, especially if we don't get recognition after we've done it. But here's the good news! If we do it not for someone else, but for ourselves, then driven by the need for autonomy, we will be more willing to do it.
In the past, my mother-in-law always forced me to exercise, but I just didn't want to. I always felt that I was exercising for her, so I was very passive every time I exercised. When she was there, I would exercise a little; when she wasn't, I really didn't want to. But later, I realized that exercising has so many benefits for the body, and that we need to have some daily activity! I became more active in exercising because I wasn't doing it to make her happy, but to make myself healthier.
In the past, when I did the housework, I did it all for the approval of my husband and in-laws. So, I didn't enjoy doing the housework at all. Every day, I felt like a victim, having to do the housework at home. And when they said that something was dirty or a bit messy, I would get very upset. I felt that my labor wasn't being recognized by them, and they were still finding fault. So I was often unhappy.
But then I made a change! I decided to start doing the housework for myself. And it's been a game-changer! I'm so much happier now.
I later learned that doing housework is actually very good for physical and mental health! When we deal with the material world, our emotions are also being adjusted and sorted out. Amazingly, doing some housework every day makes a dirty and messy home clean and tidy, and your mood will also be much more relaxed. And because of my efforts, my family can enjoy a comfortable environment when they come home. This is where my value lies. So, I now do housework because I want to, not to gain their satisfaction. I then found that at this time, no matter what they say, I won't be so angry anymore, because I feel that I have done my best, and I approve of myself. Then their comments are not so important. Of course, in most cases, they are still very satisfied, because I am creating a comfortable home environment with all my heart. When you fill every room with love, you will find that no matter who comes in, including yourself, they will feel this love and be nourished by it.
So, love yourself, accept yourself, and support yourself! When you have enough love and self-affirmation within, you will usher in a world full of light, joy, and safety—it's as simple as that!
Best of luck and all the best wishes!
Comments
I can relate to feeling so drained from always worrying about others. It's tough when you're trying so hard to keep everyone happy and end up neglecting your own needs.
It sounds like you're carrying a heavy burden by constantly monitoring everyone's reactions. Maybe it's time to focus on what you need for once, instead of everyone else.
You're not alone in feeling this way. Sometimes we all need a moment to breathe and prioritize ourselves without guilt. It's important to take care of yourself too.
It's heartbreaking that despite your efforts, you feel misunderstood and unsupported. Perhaps setting boundaries could help protect your emotional space and allow you to recharge.
Feeling unappreciated is incredibly disheartening. Have you considered expressing these feelings openly to someone you trust? Sometimes sharing can be the first step toward change.