Why won’t you “like” me?

When you choose to share something on Facebook, you are likely doing so because you’ve had some thought or experience that you want others to experience as well. There has never been an easier way to share thoughts, feelings or experiences with so many people so quickly. So, when your loved one poses for that perfect picture or that perfectly funny situation unfolds in life, you grab your phone or computer and post it for all your friends to see. But, is it the act of posting that you enjoy, or does that enjoyment only come when others “like” or comment to let you know they have enjoyed your experience as well? For me, it seems the more personal the post, the more I find myself checking throughout the day to see if others have enjoyed it as well.  Sharing personal thoughts or experiences leads to a feeling of vulnerability and a desire to have that thought or experience validated by those who we respect. But how many “likes” or comments does it take to feel validated?