Has anyone manages to get past the need for external validation?

F(32) i've been on a jurney of healing and self-descovery. A year ago I felt the need to delete all my social media, because i felt everything was too superficial, and everything was about looks. It was a validation of my looks, but i never felt realy seen or apreciated. I noticed lately that i miss the validation sometimes, it made my ego feel more confident, and powerfull. I feel like i became a bit more shy and less confident. What is your opinion on this topic. Do we need at least a bit of external validation?