If you live in Los Angeles, then you have likely spent some time looking for external validation each time parked in a parking structure. Most of the time, getting the parking validation you need is quick and easy. Other times, if you don’t have what you need to pay for the parking, looking for validation can be time-consuming and involve running from place to place to find it. Emotional validation can be very similar. It feels wonderful to receive emotional validation, however, if your sense of well-being depends on it, suddenly the thing that gave you an emotional boost is now controlling you. If you give others the power to validate you, you also give them the power to invalidate you. The best type of validation comes when you don’t need it and you don’t seek it out.
