Stop Checking Your Likes: Shake Off the Need for Approval and Live an Incredible Life

Finally got around to reading this, and frankly, it was the mental reset I desperately needed. Susie Moore writes with a refreshing, simple clarity that makes you feel like you’re grabbing coffee with a very wise, very cool older sister. I loved the 'get-to-do' list mindset shift because it turned my daily grind into a series of opportunities rather than burdens. While some might find the optimism a bit much, I found her genuine love for the reader to be incredibly empowering. It isn’t just about social media; it’s about rebuilding your entire self-narrative from the ground up. If you’re tired of living for the 'approval trap,' this is your roadmap to freedom. I highlighted dozens of quotes that I’m now sticking on my bathroom mirror to remind me that my worth is non-negotiable.

As someone who also grew up in a household shadowed by domestic violence, I found Susie’s vulnerability to be the heartbeat of this book. She doesn’t just spout platitudes; she shows how she climbed out of a dark place to build a life of joy and confidence. Not gonna lie, I teared up a few times because her stories felt so authentic and grounded in a place of genuine love. The exercises at the end of each chapter are practical, especially the one about identifying what’s missing rather than what’s wrong. It’s a beautiful reminder that we are allowed to be happy right now, regardless of our past or our follower count. This book is a warm hug for your soul that encourages you to finally put yourself first.

Ever wonder why we care so much about the opinions of people we don’t even like? This book tackles that question head-on with humor and a lot of heart, making it feel less like a lecture and more like a chat. I loved how Susie shares everything from a place of total transparency, including her failures and moments of deep insecurity. The 'get-to-do' list concept has completely shifted my morning routine from one of dread to one of quiet gratitude. It’s rare to find a book that feels this simple yet manages to provide such valuable tools for rebuilding your self-confidence. I’ve already recommended it to three friends who are struggling with their own 'inner critic' and social media burnout.

After hearing Moore on a podcast, I decided to give this a try to see if I could finally thicken my skin. The writing style is breezy and conversational, which makes it a very quick read, even when she’s tackling heavy topics like domestic violence. I actually found the 'department store tip' for getting used to hearing 'no' to be quite clever and surprisingly effective in practice. Truth is, some parts felt a little repetitive, and the personal anecdotes occasionally overshadowed the actual advice. However, the core message—that we outsource our self-worth to strangers—hit home in a way that felt very relevant to my current life. It’s a solid 4-star read for anyone needing a gentle push to stop caring about what the internet thinks.

Picked this up because I’ve been feeling trapped by the constant need for digital validation and external praise lately. Susie Moore’s approach is simple and relatable, providing a mirror for our own behavior without being overly preachy or academic. I really liked the focus on the 'approval trap' and how she challenges the assumption that we need everyone to like us to be successful. The advice about simplifying tasks by asking 'how can I let this be easier?' has honestly saved me hours of unnecessary stress this week. While the blazer comment was a bit silly, the overall sentiment of the book remains empowering and easy to digest. It’s a refreshing change of pace from more dense, data-heavy self-help titles that are hard to finish.

Not what I expected, but in a good way, because I thought this would just be about social media 'likes' and phone addiction. Instead, it’s a broader look at how we live our lives for others instead of ourselves, which is a much bigger problem. I found the 'department store' exercise to be a bit terrifying at first, but it’s a brilliant way to desensitize yourself to rejection. Susie Moore’s tone is incredibly supportive, and even though some of the advice is a bit 'toxic positivity' adjacent, the core message remains vital. She reminds us that criticism usually says more about the critic than it does about the person being criticized. I’ll definitely be keeping this on my shelf for whenever I feel my confidence start to waver.

Truth is, I highlighted over 40 quotes in this book, which is a record for me in the self-help genre. Susie Moore has a gift for taking heavy, difficult topics and making them feel like a piece of cake to navigate. The way she reframes 'to-do' lists into 'get-to-do' lists is a small linguistic shift that has had a huge impact on my anxiety levels. While I didn't agree with every single anecdote, the overall empowerment I felt while reading was undeniable and very much appreciated. It’s a simple, refreshing read that serves as a necessary wake-up call to anyone stuck in the cycle of seeking external approval. Definitely a must-read if you’re ready to finally start living life on your own terms.

The chapter on 'it’s your fault' almost made me put the book down immediately because it felt incredibly victim-blaming at first glance. Even though Moore backtracks to explain she means taking radical responsibility for your reaction to life, the delivery was a bit jarring and insensitive. Personally, I think the book is a bit hit-or-miss depending on which chapter you’re reading; some insights are gold, while others feel like a teenager's diary. I appreciated the 'what's essential here?' exercise, but I struggled with the over-the-top optimism that suggests everything works out just because you want it to. It’s a decent enough read if you can filter out the fluff, but it’s certainly not a life-changing masterpiece for everyone.

Is it just me, or is this an aggressively neurotypical guide to life? While I appreciate Susie’s personal story and her resilience through a difficult childhood, most of the advice felt like it came from a place of extreme extroversion. To be fair, telling someone with social anxiety to just 'be more positive' or wear a blazer to feel professional feels a bit reductive and dated. The tone is engaging, but the content lacks the scientific depth or actionable frameworks I look for in personal development books. I was hoping for actual tools to stop checking my notifications, but instead, I got a memoir disguised as a self-help guide. It’s okay if you want a light pep talk, but it didn't offer any real solutions for my brain.

This book felt more like a curated Instagram feed than a substantial guide to overcoming the need for validation. Look, I understand the author had a tough upbringing, but the constant focus on her own success stories made the advice feel less like a guide and more like a brag. The suggestion that wearing a blazer makes you more professional—and therefore more likable—completely contradicts the title's promise to stop caring what others think. It felt like a collection of blog posts stitched together without a cohesive, research-backed framework to support the claims. If you want a feel-good memoir, this might be for you, but it’s definitely not a deep dive into the psychology of social approval.