I've been cutting everything out which requires external validation and doing stuff which inherently makes me happy for myself only .

The thought went like people do stuff for pride and vanity , like scientists do stuff to get admired by other people of their research . Isn't this an extrinsic factor to a level ?

I was a geek always and used to learn everything computer related as it improved my pride and vanity among my peers . But inherently I find if I don't do this (90%) for the others I'm not that much inclined to do it . Learning stuff just for myself doesn't gives that much self satisfaction .

I can see this the same with every work I can relate to . (Validation from crowd acts as a big factor) .

So , how are we supposed to balance this out ? There has to be some amount of external validation right ?

Enlighten me senpai .