External validation
External validation
I got into a long conversation with one of my pals the other day about external validation—and how sneaky it can be.
We were talking about how I’ve managed to keep a pretty consistent self-care routine since my neck surgery in 2012. Not perfectly (please, I’m human), but steady enough.
What started as physical therapy turned into “how do I manage chronic pain?” and eventually evolved into “I want to take really good care of this body so I can use it however I want, for as long as I can.”
For me, that looks like regular movement, eating mostly well (but let’s be honest: gin, pasta, breakfast pastries, and dark chocolate own my heart), and working with professionals when I need them.
I’ve practiced yoga for over a decade, and it has looked wildly different from year to year. Some seasons I’m all-in, some seasons I’m leveling up with other activities, and sometimes I’m just trying to keep my shit together.
But yoga has always been my baseline—the place where I tune into what I actually need.
Some days: rest. Some days: a long stretch that cracks me open in the best way. Some days: something fiery to get me out of my own damn head.
Yoga has helped me recover from injuries. It’s prepped me for big hikes and big trips. It’s strengthened the parts of me—physically and mentally—that needed some attention.
It’s been an incredible tool… but the real reason I keep coming back is internal validation.
I’m not some perfectly enlightened human (yet), so yes, I still crave external validation like everyone else. But most of the time, I’m showing up for me.
For my mental health. To feel strong in my body. To stay grateful for what it can do—even on off days.
I take care of myself because of how it feels on the inside, not how it looks on the outside.
And trust me, it takes discipline. My default mode is “sedentary slug,” and I could win an Olympic medal in sitting still.
But here’s what I really believe:
If we were all driven more by how something makes us feel rather than how it’s perceived by others, we’d live far more fulfilling lives.
Internal validation > external applause. Every time.
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am retreat host, travel designer, and a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Retreat Host | Travel Designer