“Part of me feels like I've been striving for approval so hard I don't even know who I'm doing it for anymore”

Simplified Meaning:

Imagine someone who's always trying to make others happy or get their praise. They study hard in school because their parents want good grades, they choose a job their friends think is cool, and they wear clothes that fit in with what's popular. After some time, they might start to feel lost. They could forget what they actually like or what makes them happy because they've spent so much time trying to impress others. For example, think about a student who loves painting but chooses to study medicine because their family is full of doctors. They work tirelessly to get good grades and make their family proud but start feeling unhappy and empty. They might begin to wonder if becoming a doctor is something they really want or just something they do to get approval. This quote suggests that constantly seeking approval from others can make you lose track of your own desires and identity. To fix this, it helps to take a step back and think about what truly makes you happy, not just what will earn praise from others.