JurnalPost.com - In a life increasingly intertwined with social media, happiness is often measured by how much recognition one receives. The number of likes, comments, praise, and attention from others seem to serve as proof that one leads an interesting life worthy of appreciation. Without realizing it, this habit can make a person busier building an image to meet others' expectations than actually enjoying their own life.
Seeking recognition from others is, in fact, natural. Every individual has a need to be accepted, valued, and acknowledged. However, this need becomes problematic when one begins to tether their happiness and self-confidence to the judgment of others. In this state, a person no longer feels satisfied with what they have or have achieved because they constantly require external validation to feel worthy.
This phenomenon is increasingly visible on social media. Digital platforms allow everyone to showcase various facets of their lives, from academic achievements and careers to friendships and lifestyles. However, what is displayed on social media is often only a small fraction of a person's life. Behind a seemingly happy photo, a proud achievement, or a fun activity, there are personal stories and struggles that others may not necessarily know.
Unfortunately, not all social media users realize this. Some people use others' posts as a standard to judge their own lives. When seeing friends succeed in achieving milestones, landing jobs, or living seemingly exciting lives, a feeling arises that they have not achieved anything. Such comparisons can lead to dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and even the pressure to always appear successful in front of others.
In student life, the need for validation can also emerge through friendship circles and academic environments. For example, students may feel their achievements are meaningless if they do not receive appreciation, or they may participate in certain activities solely to be considered active and accepted by their peers.
There are also students who feel they must always achieve high grades to gain recognition from their families or surrounding environment. Ultimately, the decisions they make are no longer based on their own interests, needs, or personal goals, but rather on the desire to meet the expectations of others.
Another point of concern is when someone begins to change themselves excessively to gain acceptance. They may feel they must always please others, fear expressing differing opinions, or feel guilty when unable to meet expectations.
If this continues, the habit can cause a person to lose the opportunity to recognize their own desires and life principles. They become more focused on how others view them than on how they view themselves.
Dependency on validation can also make happiness feel fleeting. When receiving praise, one might feel happy and confident. However, when that praise stops or the response from others does not meet expectations, their self-confidence can plummet.
As a result, they constantly seek new recognition to maintain that sense of worth. This cycle can be exhausting because the standards of others are not always consistent and are not entirely within one's own control.
In my view, the main issue lies not in the desire for validation, but in the dependency on it. Appreciation can indeed provide encouragement, but it should not be the sole source of happiness.
A person still possesses value even if their achievements are not known by many, their posts do not receive many responses, or their choices are not always approved by those around them.
Therefore, it is important for the younger generation to build self-acceptance. This can begin by valuing the process, not just the results, and understanding that every individual has a different timeline and life journey.
Social media should also be used more wisely—not as a place for constant self-comparison, but as a tool for communication, acquiring information, and sharing experiences.
Furthermore, the courage to say no, express opinions, and make decisions aligned with personal values is part of the effort to build self-confidence.
Ultimately, happiness should not be something that must be proven through the recognition of others. Not every achievement needs to be published, not every good deed must receive praise, and not every decision requires approval.
Valuing oneself does not mean ignoring the opinions of others, but rather being able to accept feedback without making it the sole determinant of one's entire self-worth.
In an environment that is increasingly quick to judge, the ability to recognize and accept oneself becomes even more crucial. We may feel happy when appreciated, but we must not forget that we remain valuable even when no one else provides recognition.
Because happiness that depends solely on the validation of others will easily fluctuate according to the judgment of the environment. Conversely, self-acceptance can help us live our lives with more peace, confidence, and without the constant feeling that we must prove something to others.
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