Discussion Am I the only one who thinks people don't appreciate themselves and search for outside validation?

[WhatCouldHaveBeen32]

No matter their hobby, job or anything people just don't love themselves, this world is made in such a way that it encourages associating your self worth with how others react to you, if they react good to what you do, then you are fullfiled if not then you are not; what bullshit.

I'd rather die than live like this personally, don't know about you. It seems love is merely transactional in this world instead of being genuine; now that I'm thinking about it , people appreciate what you do but don't appreciate you as a person so if you don't do anything notable that might impress them nobody is going to look your way and therefore """empathy""" and any feeling of appreciation is restrained from you until you've proven yourself useful and entertaining to other people.

It's a bit disgusting.

 

[Dejected 55]

What does "appreciate yourself" even mean, though? When I was younger I didn't like me and didn't think I had value. Over time I realized I did like who I was and I do have value to offer.

But, if nobody else values you it doesn't matter how much you appreciate yourself. Our society is designed to not function unless you interact with others. You almost literally cannot survive without others in this world anymore. Most people simply cannot disappear on their own into the forest and live alone and sustain themselves for a lifetime.

Also, humans are wired to need to connect to others. Studies show people alone for extended periods do not live as long and are not as content. It doesn't matter how much you believe in and value yourself, if no one else values you for who you are... you still suffer. Sure, to some extent you do need to like who you are first, but that is only part of it. You can like yourself and be a good person and still be ignored in society, and that is worse than a death sentence.

 

[Pluto]