From Psychologies · Ava Skoupsky · · 1m 10s
Wanting to be loved by everyone doesn't protect you from rejection
Wanting to be loved by everyone can sabotage your happiness more than protect you from rejection.
In brief
Wanting to be loved by everyone can sabotage your happiness more than protect you from rejection. Wanting to please everyone harms happiness more than it prevents rejection, according to a 2003 study in the Journal of Research in Personality. Originally reported by Psychologies.
Wanting to please everyone is unrealistic
Wanting to please everyone is as seductive as it is illusory and doomed to fail.
High self-esteem boosts happiness
People who value themselves in areas they consider important for social approval have higher self-esteem than those who don't.
Self-esteem matters more than others
Self-esteem grows when you focus on what matters to you, not on pleasing others.
2003 study confirms this
A 2003 study in the Journal of Research in Personality shows that self-esteem affects happiness more than social approval.
How to build self-esteem
Ask yourself: Do you love yourself? Do you respect yourself? What words would you use to describe yourself to a stranger?
Self-reflection improves happiness
Writing answers to these questions helps you understand your needs and build self-esteem.
At a glance
Wanting to please everyone harms happiness more than it prevents rejection, according to a 2003 study in the Journal of Research in Personality.
