Be Real - Feel Real (eBook)

Your Path to Self-Acceptance and Recognition

Diana P. Lawrence (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2023 | 1. Auflage
156 Seiten
tredition (Verlag)
978-3-384-09172-7 (ISBN)

Infos

Dive into 'Be Real - Feel Real' by Diana P. Lawrence, an enlightening journey towards self-acceptance. This captivating book unearths the often-hidden struggles of seeking approval and validation in our lives. From childhood to the digital age, Lawrence eloquently unravels the intricate balance between individuality and societal expectations. Engaging and thought-provoking, it's a must-read for anyone seeking to embrace their authentic self amidst the noise of external influences. Perfect for those yearning to break free from the shackles of conformity and live genuinely.

Textauszug

The longing for recognition

Why people seek recognition

Seeking approval has been around for as long as there have been people. Being noticed, comprehended, and valued is our utmost goal. My question is, what gives? Why is acknowledgment not merely a desirable bonus, but frequently an essential requirement for human beings? We need to explore the human mind a bit deeper to get a handle on this.

Childhood is the beginning. In order to feel safe and accepted, children look for validation from their parents. Being told you did a good job on an assignment or got a good grade makes you feel good about yourself. They figure out that getting your name out there usually means getting perks and fun stuff. As a result, it becomes clear at a young age that praising other people makes one feel good about themselves.

This need for validation persists throughout adulthood and manifests itself in many facets of life, including relationships and professional endeavors. A good example of this is the correlation between achievement and public acclaim in the business sector. The general public views public recognition as a sign of success. Employee morale and output can both benefit from a boost to self-esteem that results from genuine expressions of gratitude. But getting your name out there in the business world is about more than just gaining prestige and a paycheck. It is an external manifestation of one's abilities and a reflection of one's talents.

In personal relationships, acknowledgment is just as crucial. Finding a partner who values and acknowledges us is important to us. When two people value and appreciate each other's unique qualities, they are more likely to form a friendship. We look to our families for reassurance that we are valued contributors to society. In this context, acknowledgment serves as a sign of not just belonging, but also love and psychological safety.

There are, however, drawbacks to pursuing fame and fortune. Dependencies can develop when there is an overwhelming need for constant recognition. Trying to please other people at the expense of your own beliefs and values is a common pitfall. Your individuality may be eroded as you become entangled in a pattern of conformity. Further, ignoring your own inner voice in favor of seeking approval from others is a surefire way to bring misery into your life.

People nowadays will go to any lengths to get their names out there, especially with the rise of social media. A "like" or encouraging comment might make you feel good in the here and now, but they won't satisfy your need for real, long-term affirmation.

The need for approval is fundamental to being human and is, thus, an intricate and multi-faceted problem. It can be a catalyst for growth and a roadblock on the way to self-discovery. Finding a constructive means of satisfying this need is difficult; we need to figure out how to seek and receive praise in a way that complements, not detracts from, our authentic selves.

The dynamic of wanting to be noticed is present in less apparent parts of life as well. Consider the many pastimes and interests that we pursue not only for their intrinsic value but also as a means of establishing ourselves in the eyes of others. Consider the amateur sportsman who trains for a major competition for months in advance. Many times, the drive to succeed stems from a deeper need for admiration and validation of one's abilities.

Equally important is not to discount the biological underpinnings of this conduct. Neuroscientific research has demonstrated that the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine can be enhanced by positive social feedback. This may provide light on the reasons why the need for acknowledgment is both culturally and biologically conditioned.

Having one's worth acknowledged is not always an admirable goal. Additionally, it can serve as a shield against the universal dread of the unknown, protecting its wearer from harm. Maybe this explains why, when faced with uncertainty, people crave recognition even more. After that, it's like having a compass in a confusing world; it confirms that you're still heading in the "right" direction, no matter how bad things get. When we're going through tough times, whether it's a personal or societal one, the external validation and success can really help ease our minds.

On top of that, seeking approval can reflect back to you all your own fears and uncertainties. When we rely on external validation to alleviate our internal struggles or low self-esteem, we are really engaging in self-medication. In the short term, external rewards like a raise at work, a finished project, or words of encouragement from loved ones can help alleviate these internal insecurities. However, the results don't always last.

Also, in today's interconnected world, finding your voice isn't as simple as it once was. When individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives gather, the meaning of recognition and its attainment become even more convoluted. You often have to consider the conventions and expectations of other communities in addition to your own social and cultural environment when you're trying to prove yourself.

Positive and negative outcomes are possible outcomes of the complex phenomenon known as the desire for recognition. It has the potential to propel one to greatness in their careers and personal lives, but it also carries the risk of caus ing them to cave in to peer pressure and become overly reliant on the approval of others. Striking a good balance is the difficult part. We must understand that acknowledgment is a natural component of life, but we must not let it consume us. That is the only way to live a life that matters, where we are loved and respected by everyone around us and where we have confidence in our own choices. Although challenging, the task is well worth completing. Simply said, the greatest compliment we can offer ourselves is the one we give to ourselves.

Social expectations and the pressure to be liked

A tremendous desire to be liked has emerged in contemporary culture. From the professional realm to our personal relationships, this need is ever-present and takes numerous forms. Perceived social approval is a powerful motivator, and social norms and expectations only serve to heighten this pressure. But why is it that we feel the need to fit in so much, and how has our culture fueled this pressure?

A quick review of our past will serve as a foundation. The need to fit in was understandable in smaller communities, where humans spent the vast majority of their history. Being popular was crucial to staying alive in these tight-knit communities. Those who were well-liked were assisted, whether it was by sharing resources or offering emotional support during difficult times. In today's complicated and interdependent world, though, the desire to be liked has grown apart from its original meaning and is now a form of social capital that does not depend on genuine human needs.

For instance, the pressure to fit in is especially noticeable at work. Being well-liked by others is frequently the greatest approach to establish a solid network, which is becoming increasingly important in many industries. The individual and the company culture are both affected by this. Nowadays, a person's worth is determined more by their ability to "sell" themselves than by their actual abilities or the value they bring to a team. Work quality may suffer as a result, and emphasis on outward appearances takes precedence.

There is a lot of pressure to be liked in all aspects of life, including work and personal relationships. In today's social media era, having a large number of "friends" or "followers" can be mistaken for an indication of how popular and valuable someone is. The consequence is that quantity, rather than quality, of relationships is often prioritized. In an effort to maintain social acceptance, people often avoid talking about themselves honestly and instead focus on surface-level topics.

We must not disregard the gravity of this pressure. As a result, a lot of people end up living two lives: one that follows the rules set out by society, and another that rebels against or at least questions those rules. A variety of mental health issues, including anxiety disorders and depression, can stem from this disconnection between one's outward appearance and their inner being.

The first part of this topic covered the problematic effects of the deeply ingrained pressure to be liked in our society. How to resist this pressure and live a life that is true to yourself and meaningful is what we'll discuss next.

The first part delves into the problematic and intricate aspects of the pressure to be liked. Now, the question is: how can one live an authentic life in a society where these expectations are prevalent? Getting beyond societal expectations isn't always a picnic. Sometimes they're ingrained in us to the point where we could think they're our own beliefs.

Putting the social norms and expectations into question is a good place to start when trying to resist pressure. What gives having a specific amount of "followers" on social media such a significant amount of weight? Why is a person's popularity or social standing used as a yardstick for their value? One way to start breaking free of societal expectations is to practice critical reflection.

Being able to accept oneself is another crucial component. Rather than trying to please other people, we should value ourselves just the way we are. Also included in this is realizing that no one is flawless and coming to terms with our own frailties. Staying true to who you are can feel like going against the grain at times, but the...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 16.12.2023
• Verlagsort: Ahrensburg
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Beruf / Finanzen / Recht / Wirtschaft ► Bewerbung / Karriere
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie ► Lebenshilfe / Lebensführung
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie ► Partnerschaft / Sexualität
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Ethik
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Psychologie ► Persönlichkeitsstörungen
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Politik / Verwaltung
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: acceptance • authentic • Being liked • Bullying • Community • Criticism • freedom • Friendship • Love • Motivation • Recognition • rejected • Rejection • self-acceptance • Social Media • superficiality
• ISBN-10: 3-384-09172-8 / 3384091728
• ISBN-13: 978-3-384-09172-7 / 9783384091727