“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” ~Louise L. Hay We all have techniques we depend on to lift our spirits when we’re feeling down about ourselves or our lives. A while back I realized something about the ones I’d found most effective when struggling to forgive or accept myself: Many of them involved seeking validation from other people. Some of my most effective mood-boosters included: Reading emails from readers who’d benefitted from my writing Calling loved ones and reminding myself of how much they valued me Sharing my … Continue reading 5 Ways to Validate Yourself: Be Part of Your Support System