Shade Zahrai

I'm still the same person and try and seek back their validation because it's not usually a positive, right?

It's usually coming from a place of,

You know, it's got a negative intent and it's usually a reflection of their insecurity or your growth is shining a spotlight on all the ways they have not grown and have stayed stagnant.

So what do we say?

I found that the most effective response that elevates your sense of big trust and also gives them permission to recognize that they could do the same is this when someone says you've changed reply with thanks for noticing.

Exactly who you truly are.

Completely.

And when you say thanks for noticing, and then also we have the second line that we like to add in there.

Thanks for noticing growth has been a priority for me, or my health has been a priority for me.

My physical wellness has been a priority for me.

What you're demonstrating is that it is a positive.

It's a compliment.

Thank you.

I've been working on it.

You also unintentionally give them permission to recognize, oh,

So if I make it a priority, maybe I could also experience the same growth that they have.

So it's this beautiful way of shifting someone's insecurity into something that could be positive.

Because you're not saying, yeah, I'm better than you.

It's no, I've been working on this.

And it's a fantastic way not to feel like you have to prove yourself or win back their approval or justify anything.