In a recent LinkedIn post, Noemi Kis✨ challenges the common pursuit of external validation, arguing that true happiness stems from self-approval. The post, which has resonated widely within the professional community, posits that most individuals spend their lives seeking the approval of others, a path Kis✨ suggests leads away from genuine contentment.
The Illusion of External Validation
Kis✨ contends that the relentless chase for external approval is a detrimental trap. Instead, the focus should shift inward, towards a personal definition of success and fulfillment. The core of this argument lies in a simple yet profound question posed by Kis✨: “Would my 8-year-old self be proud of me? Would my 80-year-old self thank me?” This rhetorical inquiry serves as a powerful tool for self-reflection, urging readers to consider the long-term impact of their choices and actions on their own sense of integrity and well-being.
“That’s the only approval that matters.”
According to Kis✨, this internal compass is the sole arbiter of true worth. The article emphasizes that relying on external markers of success, such as accolades or the opinions of peers, is ultimately unsustainable and unfulfilling. Kis✨ encourages a re-evaluation of personal values, suggesting that the only scoreboard that truly counts is the one an individual creates for themselves.
Living for Your Future and Past Selves
The post outlines actionable advice for cultivating this self-approval, dividing it into two key perspectives: pleasing one’s eight-year-old self and one’s eighty-year-old self. To satisfy the younger self, Kis✨ advises embracing playfulness without guilt, maintaining a boundless curiosity, and dreaming without self-imposed limitations.
Cultivating Inner Joy and Wonder
As Kis✨ notes, these actions are about preserving a sense of wonder and uninhibited exploration that often diminishes with age. The emphasis is on maintaining a spirit of play and creativity, fostering an environment where imagination can flourish without the constraints of societal expectations or fear of judgment.
“Play without guilt.
Stay curious about everything.
Dream like limits don’t exist.”
Prioritizing Long-Term Well-being
Looking towards the future self, Kis✨ provides guidance on making choices that ensure future gratitude and peace. This includes prioritizing relationships over mere achievements, opting for challenging yet rewarding paths over safe but uninspiring ones, and fiercely protecting one’s health.
“Choose relationships over achievements.
Take the scary path instead of the safe one.
Protect my health like my life depends on it.
Because it does.”
This perspective underscores the importance of long-term thinking and the understanding that true success encompasses not just professional accomplishments but also personal health and meaningful connections. Kis✨’s message is a powerful reminder that sustainable fulfillment is built on a foundation of self-respect and choices aligned with one’s deepest values, rather than the fleeting approval of the external world.
Ultimately, Noemi Kis✨’s LinkedIn post serves as a compelling call to action, urging readers to shift their focus from external validation to internal satisfaction, thereby creating a more authentic and fulfilling life.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Noemi Kis✨ on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 17, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →