Validation. Praise. Compliments. Whatever it is, I feel like we all need it. It feeds to our social behavior. It helps us be confident, self confident. I mean, why else would we share our entire lives on social media. Acceptance. That what we are doing is "okay" in the world. That what we are doing is socially acceptable.
So many times I have heard of people who have deleted something they have posted because it didn't get enough "likes" or "comments" from their followers. To them it wasn't "socially acceptable." Was it the way they smiled? The clothes they picked out? Or was it that it didn't have the perfect lighting and setting that was socially ok for everybody to like. Whatever it is, in that moment in time, someone, somewhere, will almost always not feel socially accepted.
It is hard to live in this world. The trends change so much and so fast. One week it is cool to dab in all your photos and the next week it becomes an annoyance to others. One year overalls are the most hideous ridiculous things to wear, and now they are flying off shelves that you cannot get your hands on them. I have literally been through the overall phase a few rounds in my almost 28 years of life.
Besides the point, who gets to chose what is in and what is out, what is cool and what is dorky, what is acceptable and what isn't.
Besides social media, I think validation is a part of our lives that we as humans need. As I have grown up and become a wife, then a mom, and a friend to many, there are many firsts that I do. Everytime I make a new recipe I wait for the validation from my family if it was good or not. Everytime I make a craft project, do a photo shoot or something, I want to know if it is "good" "cute" "perfect" "if I did SUCH a good job." Case in point, I need a compliment or some sort of feedback to know what I did was good or what I need to work on.
The same goes with parenting. Sometimes I need to know that what I am doing is good. I need to know if I show my love to my kids so much that they know that I love them when I am not around. I want to know if my lessons I teach them will help them make decisions when I am away. I want to know that what I am doing now will set us up for success down the road.
I think we all know how it feels when we don't get the praise we expected when we put everything we have into something. But sometimes I feel like we are our own worst critics. Never do I think I am doing a good enough job.
But I am here to give each of you a little praise. Every single person has something about them that I look up to. There are so many talented friends that I have. Whether its how you can put together an outfit, how you can apply the perfect makeup, how when you smile, everything is ok. I am amazed of those that can sing, play an instrument, or sing along to every song and know the words. I am amazed at how you keep a clean and tidy house at all times, or how you can bake like its your second nature. How you can do your hair, and make it last. How you are strong, physically, and emotionally. How whenever I see you or think of you, I laugh, because we shared such a fun moment in our lives that had my sides hurting from laughing so hard.
Every single person has something that makes them unique, worthy, and perfect. Please know that you, yes YOU, have left a lasting impact on someone. Someone out there looks up to you. Someone out there needs you. So please, share your kindness, and please feel a little extra special today, and know that there are people who love you.
