Long before social media governed our relationships, long before the web changed our economy and long before digital technology shifted our culture, we all had like buttons.
They may not have been visible. Or clickable. Or even called like buttons.
But we all had them. Still do. In our nature is a built-in need for approval from others.
It doesn’t come from a well of insecurity. It doesn’t stem from a sense of unworthiness. It doesn’t grow from a lack of positive affirmation.
Humans are social creatures who were born to be liked.
And no matter how independent, confident and popular we think we are, no matter how often we remind the world that we’re not operating out of a need for their approval, it’s time we finally stop bullshitting ourselves and just admit it:
We want to be liked, by everybody, all the time.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
As long as we don’t violate our own constitution. As long as we don’t let it become our controlling motivation. As long as we don’t change who we are for every person who doesn’t like us. As long as we don’t allow our need for approval to bring us to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
Let’s wear our like buttons for the all the world to press.
Besides, if we don’t need people’s approval, why do we need to keep reminding them of that?