I kinda have the opposite situation, but I think it’s still relevant. I’m 25 and single and I used to agonize over what society dictates is the normal timeline of a person’s life. I just haven’t found the right relationship and trying to force something that isn’t right just to fit yourself into a box feels awful. Recently, I tried maintaining a relationship with a person I didn’t actually like that much because I felt like I had to settle down and quickly realized that I wasn’t doing myself a favor. It just became more painful.

I’ve recently adopted the attitude of not worrying about what people think (not just for my lack of relationships, but for everything) and noticed a huge shift in EVERYTHING. Before I do something or say something I’ll ask myself if I’m doing it for ME or to impress/please someone else and honestly I’ve been SO much happier. I’ve been a people-pleaser my whole entire life. I’ve bent over backwards and made myself miserable and broke so many times just to conform to what someone else wants. I realized I am going to regret my entire life if I keep ignoring my own happiness. I also realized that I don’t owe anyone an explanation about anything that I do at all. I am a good, kind person and if I am not hurting anyone, who’s business is it if I do what I want to do?

I realized that the need for societal approval, at least for me, came from a lack of self worth. Relying on approval to feel good about yourself is a quick way to become miserable because literally no matter what you do, people would disapprove of you. You could cure cancer and there would be somebody criticizing you. Once I realized this, everything changed. I rely on my own morals and ambitions to guide me. I can focus on what I actually want to do. I can try new things without the fear of “failure” because I realized that it’s not a failure if I don’t see it that way.

Maybe it’s time to ask yourself why you’re needing the approval of others so badly and instead give yourself your own approval!