external validation

**external validation**

External validation refers to the process of seeking approval, recognition, or affirmation from others to feel valued or confident. It often involves relying on feedback, praise, or acceptance from outside sources rather than trusting one’s own judgment or internal sense of worth. In personal development, understanding the role of external validation can help individuals build healthier self-esteem by balancing external feedback with internal self-acceptance. This tag can be used for posts discussing psychological concepts, self-improvement strategies, social behavior, and the impact of external validation on mental health and relationships.