[mrnoodle]

Is there a difference between support and validation? Sometimes I get the feeling that people don't want others' insight, they just want to hear that they're right about something.

I quit asking for validation from others directly. My problem is that I still seek it, but now I cloak it in self-deprecation. I say "does this suck?" when the only answer I care to hear is "of course it doesn't suck -- you are awesome".

Praise and derision make me equally uncomfortable, and I don't LIKE to hear either. But I continually seek them out. I crave attention of any kind, whether positive or negative, yet receiving attention makes me squirmy.

wolf, one to admit please.