When you feel that you always need the acknowledgement, approval & appreciation of others to validate yourself, try accepting your feelings without judgement. Practice self-approval, compassion & appreciation. Value your thoughts, feelings and acts of kindness towards others. Start validating yourself.
EFT will help tremendously in this.
1. Take up incidents from your childhood where you felt invisible or inappropriately judged & criticized. Did your parents validate your feelings, perspectives, talents, special interests and actions?
If they didn’t, then a lot of unworthiness can creep in. Tap on all those incidents.
2. Tap on accepting yourself daily.
3. Tap on self compassion. Read on developing self compassion https://eftforpeace.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/self-compassion/
4. Tap on valuing yourself.