Everyone wants to feel loved. Everyone wants to feel wanted.
Why not give that to yourself?
It's only human nature, seeking validation through others. We are socialized with the ideology that we should have to impress others, with the idea that we need to find our self-worth through the eyes of others. I'm here to tell you that that is wrong. I'm here to tell you that you can in fact recognize your self-worth on your own. You're allowed to know that you're beautiful, because you are.
There's a difference between self-confidence and arrogance. Hear me out.
Imagine living in a society where self-love is encouraged, and well embraced. I find self love to be a desirable characteristic, while society seems to want us to view it as narcissistic.
It's okay to embrace your self-worth.
You don't need anyone to validate you.
When someone gives you a compliment you don't have to act like you don't believe them. When someone tells you that you're cute, or that you're beautiful, it's okay to tell them you know. There's a way to go about it so that you don't come off rudely, but it is my personal opinion that this shouldn't be a problem at all. Why is it the norm for a person to compliment another, and if he/she responds with "I know," suddenly the compliment is to be revoked. Like, "Oh wow, you already think you're beautiful? Whatever then."
Pardon me as I digress with a note of levity, but I think we should all take notes from Regina George and all have her confidence. Conversations should go as follows:
Person:
You:
Person:
You:
Person:
But sadly, that's not how things work. If you were to respond that way, or with any hint of your own self-confidence, suddenly you're being a b*tch. I just don't understand why it works like that, like:
Back to a more serious note, love yourself. It is perfectly fine to love yourself, love who you are, love your body, love the skin you're in. I don't understand the issue.
How is it narcissistic of me to embrace my perfections and imperfections, and recognize that I am worth something? Why label someone a narcissist because they are comfortable enough within themselves to embrace their self-worth? How is it narcissistic to not be seeking validation?
I'm here to tell you that you're allowed to embrace that. Embrace your whole being, and live out loud. You don't have to play coy to avoid from offending someone else when they compliment you. If someone says you're beautiful, tell them you know. If they get a little hurt, that's not really your issue, because by not allowing yourself to embrace your self-worth you hurt yourself, and you're allowed to put yourself first. As I said, there is a difference between self-confidence and arrogance should you choose to recognize it.
You only get one life, and by seeking validation through others you waste it.
Live for yourself, validate yourself, live happy, live free and embrace your self-worth.