If social media disappeared today, what would you be remembered for? What would they say about your character? Were you compassionate? What were you like in a one-on-one setting? Do you have any depth to your life beyond what people can see through photos?​

The ease of using social media platforms and rising social pressures has resulted in an alarming uptick in validation as the main driver for why we do what we do. People more often do things to show what they’re doing instead of doing them for the simple pleasure of experiencing life. So we really have two camps: those who seek validation, and those who desire to lead a meaning-driven life.

Validation-seeking is expressed as looking for approval, recognition, or affirmation of one’s worth. This results in the constant need for complements, overreacting to criticism, avoiding authenticity to fit in, and seeking approval before taking action. It’s easy to see why these individuals seem to be reaching for validation through social media, can’t admit when they’re wrong, or turn out to be someone other than the person you thought you’d met one month prior. This isn’t healthy, as it’s often the result of unresolved inner wounds that result in a lack of self-trust and can contribute to anxiety-ridden symptoms that are difficult to get out of.

Meaning-driven living is the pursuit of a life rooted in purpose, aligned with personal values and guided by a deeper “why.” This is expressed by an internal compass that supersedes the need for external approval, resilience in the face of obstacles, the ability to self-reflect, and authenticity. These individuals will do what’s right instead of what’s popular, keep going with things get tough, spend time understanding themselves and refining their direction.​

Remember, this doesn’t mean that the validation-seekers are bad people, or the meaning-driven people are better. We’re all humans who develop an adaptation to the stressors we experience. Some of us just do it better than others, and some of us need a push in the right direction.

In the end, we all want to leave an impression. But are you leaving the one you think you’re leaving?

Write your own eulogy. What do you want people to say? Adjust your actions accordingly.