Anxiously seeking approval is an attempt at trying to gain and keep a further sense of control where their is none.

Anxiously seeking approval is an attempt at trying to gain and keep a further sense of control where their is none.A struggle to gain self worth from another lies at the failed motivations of childhood. If we can just make our parent 'happy' by being what we imagine they want us to be, then we won't be rejected or abandoned. That's the self common assumption; but does it work?

Well, parents like 'nice' children, for sure; but, paradoxically, trying to be all things to all can make us less appreciated, because others are generally drawn to an aura of self-confidence. So remind ourself regularly that we can influence other's perception of us some of the time, but we can't control it. Others are not a replication of parents and they tend to think what they'll think.