"If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is there to hear it, did it really happen?"

"If I cook a delicious meal, and no one sees or tastes it, was it worth it?"

"If I read a great book, and have no one to discuss it with, was there any point to reading it?"

Maybe it's social media culture, maybe it's being an extrovert, maybe it's just being starved for connection. But regardless of the reason, I struggle to do anything if it's not visible to others.

I drop projects because they don't show results fast enough. I put off improvement because I don't want to perpetuate unrealistic goals. I become deeply depressed when I can't find anyone to talk to about the latest book or movie I experienced.

All in all, I ground my experiences in how other people experience my experiences. And I know that's wrong. And I know that it's sufficiently common that at least one book has to have been written about it.

Ideally I'm looking for a book about releasing worry about being original. About reminding yourself that you are unique, and that your experiences are your own, and are worth having, even if no one else likes them, or even know they exist.