How do you know if you are addicted to approval? Is it just something that resonates with you or is there a test you can take to know for sure?
I’d like to suggest yes, to both.
I think there are those of us that hear phrases like “people-pleasers,” “she is so insecure,” or “approval addict” and something inside of just shouts, “Yes! Yes! That is me.”
But for others of us, those same words reflect fear, and we want to know if the way we sometimes feel is okay or if we have a problem that needs addressing.
5 Ways To Know If You Are Addicted to Approval
- Are you able to make decisions on your own without worrying about what anyone else thinks of you?
- Do you need the affirmation of others?
- Do you set high expectations for others and become disappointed when they don’t live up to them?
- Is it difficult for you to share your opinions or beliefs with others when they differ from your own?
- Do you have a hard time saying “no”?
If you said yes to more than one of these, then you are more than likely have an approval addiction.
You Are Not Alone
I think we have all struggled with this on some level.
It doesn’t matter if we are female or male. Young or old. As I have shared how God has me in recovery to this addiction, people from all over have said, they struggle too. The irony is it’s affirming, right?
Over the next few weeks, we will begin to discuss some of the issues approval addicts struggle with daily. Things like: people-pleasing, insecurity, need for control, taking up offenses, and fear of rejection. These are all addressed in my book Like Me Or Not: Overcoming Approval Addiction by Worthy Publishing (2018). It’s a great way to take a deeper dive into this issue, should you find that it strikes a chord with you.
Which of the five ways mentioned above do you struggle with the most?
Other posts you might like:
How to Know If You have a God Dream
Calling: How to Know If You Have One
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Ouch! I really didn’t realize I was that much of an approval addict until I went through those questions! Definitely excited to read this book!
I hear you Lori. It hurt me too when God put it to me straight, which makes sense…cause I am a people-pleaser and I want to please everyone, including God! And believe me, most days, I need to re-read the book just as a reminder of what I have learned.
This is an area I really struggle in. I am really excited about reading this book.