I wrote a thing during work today, and I like it so much, I want to post it here, with all my glasses and my shoes, so I have them.
What neither one of us knew was that, once I found that validation and worthiness within myself, I didn’t need it from any external source. And there’s a lesson there that I’m going to billboard: the external validation we crave from others is never as satisfying or lasting as the internal validation we give ourselves.
This project hasn’t been announced, and won’t be for awhile. I’m working my face off on it right now, and have been for most of a year, between acting and voice acting jobs. If I can stay on schedule, it will be out early next year in print and audio and maybe some kind of media that hasn’t been invented, but will be invented between now and then.
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I always look forward to your work, Wil. Excitement builds!
What Carl said!
Keep that energy and determination champ 🙂
You’ve written something similar on your posts on your depression at some point…or at least my memory wants to assert (memories are fallible, of course). But a Truth is going to be rediscovered and expressed again, because it is a Truth.
Ditto – I always look forward to your work, too! I save opening emails of your blogpost for last, hoping they will be something I enjoy reading. They always are!
Ah, but there’s the rub. Where do people like you and I find that affirming voice?
Your statement there really mirrors the journey that I’ve been on the past few years. I think it’s very important that you’re sharing this , Mr Wheaton and want to thank you again
Is it the novel? Please say, it’s the novel!) 🙂
This is WONDERFUL.
I’m going to put this on my bathroom mirror.
I was prepared to rant, on the basis of comments on re-postings/feeds of this post. However, I am glad to see that people are not blinding giving accolades here (not that they are undeserved – they are – it is their blind issuance that I have trouble with).
I have not read all of Wheaton’s posts, nor all his memoirs, but through the readings of the memoirs I have found and the times I do read his blog, I am impressed with his growth both as a writer and a person. This excerpt is clearly a reflection from within that new growth. Congratulations Wil, both for your achievement and both your ability and commitment to share it.
That said, for the sake of argument, here’s what I wrote on another site:
This is North American bullshit. While internal validation is more stable, and can reduce the external need, we take this “self-sufficiency” value to an unhealthy level that, as one of its many issues, discounts/discludes how most of our values actually start from external sources and become internalized. This ranges from everything from morals to self-consciousness – remember how kids will just sing and draw and run with no valuation of skill until others start judging and ranking them?
Also, remember that arrogant, narcissistic and sociopathic individuals have plenty of internal validation. Internal validation in and of itself is not necessarily honest nor healthy, although it can be a part of both those qualities. External readings is essential to us as human beings and as members of a society.
While it is great for Wheaton to develop a stable force within himself and is likely (based on his other writings) an essential part of his growth, we (outside commenters) need to stop talking about it as though it is everyone’s ideal for every situation. Similarly, we need to stop judging those on the sole fact that some of the validation being sought is external: a healthy person seeks both at different times and for different issues.
Autobiography? Something for NAMI? I look forward to whatever it is.
I had a similar childhood but with a different career and I went through finding self validation in the late 1990s – early 2000s. At some point in therapy I realized I no longer cared what my parents thought, did, or said. They hadn’t changed their thinking, doing, or saying, I just realized they were mostly full of sh*t.
Okay Wil you got me. You are awesome! Usually I think most famous folks have huge Egos but you don’t. Thanks for reminding me of that.
Hello Wil. I recently had Felicia Day pop up on my Twitch suggested stream list and I asked myself “What happened to Geek & Sundry?” While reading the unfortunate information of its demise, I came across a comment about TableTop (which thought me how to play so many games since comprehending rulebooks is not my strong suit) and I asked myself “What is Wil up to nowadays?” I saw that you haven’t posted on twitter in a few years but there was a link to this website in your bio. I just read your last two pages of posts, including the one about your five years of sobriety (congratulations!), your Shatner story and this wonderfully positive post and I’m so happy to hear that you are doing well and I wish you the best.