In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about the deeper connection between approval-seeking, the need to prove ourselves, and the quiet ways these patterns can shape our relationship with food and our bodies.

I share my own journey—growing up in a household where performance and perfection were tied to love, and how that created a deep fear of doing it wrong, being too much, or not enough. Like many women, I internalized thebelief that being good meant being small, quiet, and in control. For me, that showed up in disordered eating—but it could show up as over-achieving, people-pleasing, or self-neglect.

We’ll explore:

*How childhood experiences of needing approval can turn into perfectionism and body control

*Why many women feel “safe” when they’re hungry or productive

*The role of culture and generational patterns in shaping our self-worth

*What healing looks like when we stop trying to earn love—and start offering it to ourselves

If you’ve ever felt like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough—or you’ve struggled to make peace with your body or your worth—this conversation is for you. You’re not broken. You’ve been taught to abandon yourself. But you don’t have to stay there.

✨ Reflection Prompt:

What was your earliest memory of “being good” or “doing it right” to get love, attention, or approval? How did that shape the way you treat yourself today?

💛 Resources + Links:

Learn the S.T.O.P. Method for self-regulation: https://www.dianesorensen.net/stop

Join the Beautiful Behavior Facebookcommunity for more insights and perspectives in parenting and relationship building - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1234281357530027⁠⁠⁠

Connect with me on Instagram or send me a message through my website:

Website: https://www.dianesorensen.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianesorensen.bb/⁠

Email: dsorensen@dianesorensen.net

The Beautiful Behavior Programs will support you in setting firm boundaries that promote self-regulation, compassionand respect in all your relationships and parenting journey.  Reclaim your CALM, discover your TRUTH, and live FREE.