When You Stop Chasing Validation, Peace Begins - As-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum. I came to see that a lot of my suffering was because I was always the one chasing. I chased friendships, relationships, status, and money, then wondered why I was exhausted and empty inside. The hard part ended when I finally stopped the chase. Once you recognize the “carrot” being dangled before you, you get to choose: do I want to keep running after this, or would I rather seek contentment and barakah instead? If you’re pursuing something mainly for praise from family, friends, or society, you may wind up accepting a life you never truly wanted. We often act like a job or a marriage or wealth will make us happy, treating them as the only goals, forgetting that our peace begins with ourselves and with sincere reliance on Allah (tawakkul). When your steps align with what genuinely brings you joy and is halal, you find doors opening and strengths you didn’t know you had, because you’re not at war with your own heart anymore. Has anyone else reached the point where they chose to stop chasing validation? How did your life change after you let go of needing approval from others?