Every time my mother-in-law visits I deep clean my house for three days beforehand and she still finds things to criticize but I can't stop trying to impress her.
More people experience this than they realize.
Seeking approval from those who withhold it becomes compulsive behavior that confirms our worst fears about ourselves.
“Where Are You with East Asian time and face-saving?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.