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Like Me or Not: Overcoming Approval Addiction
There is a difference between being someone other people like and being defined by what others think. Some people are so addicted to approval that their lives spiral out of control creating discontent, depression, and alienation. Recovering approval addict Dawn Owens identifies all the ways craving approval can negatively impact our lives, and offers sound, biblical strategies to overcome them. Using her own and other's stories as relatable examples, Owens shares the journey to an identity found only in Christ.
- GenresReligion
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2018
11 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Dawn M Owens
1 book13 followersDawn M Owens, an award-winning author, is the founder and executive director of The Link of Cullman County, a ministry addressing poverty by serving more than three thousand people a year in twenty-three different locations. The host of "Lunch with the Link," a radio show on Praise 97.9FM. Read more about Dawn and her ministry at www.dawnmowens.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 27, 2018
Are You Addicted to the Approval of Others?
We live in a me-centered world—even as Christians. People pick up a book asking, “What is in this for me?” Dawn Owens picks up on this trait and writes about how to overcome approval addiction. I’ve never seen an entire book focused on this topic.
In the pages of LIKE ME OR NOT, Owens brings the reader to her own decision to change her behavior saying, “I realized my people-pleasing needed to stop. If God was ever going to use me, I would have to be more like David and seek only the pleasure of God. I needed to stop letting fear make me focus on how others felt about me. My job was to obey God, not others, and to seek the pleasure of God instead of caring about the opinions of mere men and women. But it took time for me to make that shift. It took effort for me to get over my fears.” (Page 28)
This well-written book includes a personal prayer at the end of each chapter and a leader’s guide in the final pages for small groups. Whether you think you have this approval addiction or not, every Christian needs to read LIKE ME OR NOT. I highly recommend it.
We live in a me-centered world—even as Christians. People pick up a book asking, “What is in this for me?” Dawn Owens picks up on this trait and writes about how to overcome approval addiction. I’ve never seen an entire book focused on this topic.
In the pages of LIKE ME OR NOT, Owens brings the reader to her own decision to change her behavior saying, “I realized my people-pleasing needed to stop. If God was ever going to use me, I would have to be more like David and seek only the pleasure of God. I needed to stop letting fear make me focus on how others felt about me. My job was to obey God, not others, and to seek the pleasure of God instead of caring about the opinions of mere men and women. But it took time for me to make that shift. It took effort for me to get over my fears.” (Page 28)
This well-written book includes a personal prayer at the end of each chapter and a leader’s guide in the final pages for small groups. Whether you think you have this approval addiction or not, every Christian needs to read LIKE ME OR NOT. I highly recommend it.
March 27, 2023
I enjoyed reading this Christian self help book. It expounds on biblical principles on living to please God. In so many words, seeking approval from people is a prison. Numbers of likes shouldn’t determine your mood, but I see it all the time on social media. Others not liking you is a non factor when you love yourself.
March 16, 2019
I found this book a really helpful resource. It helps to combat the struggle of living in today’s social media culture with the temptation to seek approval all times.
February 7, 2019
Interesting topic, has strong backing based on Christian scripture. The author shares several personal stories to drive home key points.
August 30, 2018
When I began reading, I thought this book was more for younger women or teens, but then I started thinking I should get my nails done and buy a new outfit to see a perfectionist friend I hadn't seen in a long time. And I'm retired! This book is for every woman who craves approval or control and will bend over backward to get it. Dawn Owens' conversational, kind tone will pull the reader in, along with her sharing of painful incidents in her own life. The Christian content aims to show the reader she only needs God's approval. The last part of the book is a Leader's Guide for groups using Like Me or Not. The Appendix contains Bible verse references that will help with this addiction. Let Dawn serve as an author mentor for your spiritual growth and development. This book will make you think--and pray.
July 26, 2018
This book was soooo amazing and such a blessing to me and in my life especially what has been going on with my life lately.
This book was soooo amazing and such a blessing to me and in my life especially what has been going on with my life lately. Please I urge everyone to read, listen, get a copy of this book!!! It will change my life and I know if you are like me, a recovering approval addiction, it will you too!!! God bless! And pray for each and every person who gets a copy of this book.
~Steph
This book was soooo amazing and such a blessing to me and in my life especially what has been going on with my life lately. Please I urge everyone to read, listen, get a copy of this book!!! It will change my life and I know if you are like me, a recovering approval addiction, it will you too!!! God bless! And pray for each and every person who gets a copy of this book.
~Steph
May 25, 2023
I read this book because my 8th grade daughter read it and liked it and wanted to see what I thought.
I feel kind of bad giving a bit of a critical review to an approval addict (🙈). I am one too and relate so much. Therefore I appreciate the author’s effort to confront this topic from a Biblical worldview.
This book was interesting and helpful on some level, but it did not grip me. It started with establishing what approval addiction is and how social media feeds it. It continued with examples from her own life (writing in college, first job, planting a church that failed, starting a nonprofit) but they were a little hard for me to follow in that they weren’t necessarily given chronologically or they were mentioned in one part of the book and then revisited in more detail later. There was Scripture and ways to combat approval addiction woven in…but not where it felt seamless with the overall flow (or lack-of-flow in my opinion). I would have rather read more of a chronological story about her life and what helped her struggles than a self-help/memoir fusion with some Bible lessons thrown in for good measure.
It felt awkward when she inserts her testimony and the “sinner’s prayer” in the middle of the book. To me, it overly celebrates our decision and choosing of God and is less of a deep God-initiated and God-centered Reformed theology I am used to reading.
Things I really liked about the book:
- she connects approval addiction with wanting to control everything…including God.
- How we can be so focused on God, his Word and all that He desires for us…and then we “see a squirrel” and head off in another direction…a me-focused direction
- How Satan figures out what we crave most and uses that to turn our focus away from God…but Jesus deflected this using the Word of God
- The confessional honesty that helps me recognize my own sin more clearly like “I had a dark secret in my heart…jealous was ruling me and competition was driving me.”
- When she shared that her parents were both Jewish - that’s so cool.
- Don’t choose to be offended. Instead, choose forgiveness/grace/love. These are your new choices. …You live to please God. Period.
- Like addicts, we are powerless to overcome our own sin and we must surrender. Romans 7:18 (For me, it would have felt more natural to share the gospel here, rather than in the middle of the book).
- The prayers she had at the end of each chapter were great.
I feel kind of bad giving a bit of a critical review to an approval addict (🙈). I am one too and relate so much. Therefore I appreciate the author’s effort to confront this topic from a Biblical worldview.
This book was interesting and helpful on some level, but it did not grip me. It started with establishing what approval addiction is and how social media feeds it. It continued with examples from her own life (writing in college, first job, planting a church that failed, starting a nonprofit) but they were a little hard for me to follow in that they weren’t necessarily given chronologically or they were mentioned in one part of the book and then revisited in more detail later. There was Scripture and ways to combat approval addiction woven in…but not where it felt seamless with the overall flow (or lack-of-flow in my opinion). I would have rather read more of a chronological story about her life and what helped her struggles than a self-help/memoir fusion with some Bible lessons thrown in for good measure.
It felt awkward when she inserts her testimony and the “sinner’s prayer” in the middle of the book. To me, it overly celebrates our decision and choosing of God and is less of a deep God-initiated and God-centered Reformed theology I am used to reading.
Things I really liked about the book:
- she connects approval addiction with wanting to control everything…including God.
- How we can be so focused on God, his Word and all that He desires for us…and then we “see a squirrel” and head off in another direction…a me-focused direction
- How Satan figures out what we crave most and uses that to turn our focus away from God…but Jesus deflected this using the Word of God
- The confessional honesty that helps me recognize my own sin more clearly like “I had a dark secret in my heart…jealous was ruling me and competition was driving me.”
- When she shared that her parents were both Jewish - that’s so cool.
- Don’t choose to be offended. Instead, choose forgiveness/grace/love. These are your new choices. …You live to please God. Period.
- Like addicts, we are powerless to overcome our own sin and we must surrender. Romans 7:18 (For me, it would have felt more natural to share the gospel here, rather than in the middle of the book).
- The prayers she had at the end of each chapter were great.
March 21, 2019
I had the pleasure of meeting the author, Dawn M Owens, at the Write to Publish conference in 2018. It was right after this book released, and based on my interactions with her, as well as the catchy title and book cover, I knew that this was one to add to my collection.
But I'll be honest, when I first chose this book, I was intrigued by the content, but never really considered myself an 'approval addict'. Sure, I liked when people were pleased with me, or showered me with their approval, but I was definitely in denial of any type of addiction regarding this topic. So, I casually entered into a relationship with this book and read only a few chapters over the Summer and then just kind of shelved it for later.
And let me tell ya, later came. I found myself being drawn back to it earlier this year, and I'm so glad that I was. Dawn has a gentle way of revealing how approval addiction shows up in marriage and friendship, in the workplace and our relationship with God. With solid, real-life examples from her own experiences, Dawn speaks about the power to overcome the need to please man, by focusing on the one relationship that really matters.
Like Me or Not, is full of scriptural references, Bible stories, prayers and even a study guide for small group leaders. She has literally done all the work for us in this one book and provided encouragement for women everywhere to break the cycle of approval addiction by choosing to take simple, strategic action, one day at a time.
But it starts with understanding that our identity comes from God. As Dawn so beautifully states on page 136-137, "we are not who our enemy says we are. We are not who the world says. We are not who our angry family members accuses us of being. We are not numbers. We are not defined by our performance or our lack thereof. Neither, in our true identities, are we addicts."
In the fast paced world of social media and platform and online influencing, it's easy to get wrapped up in the hype of approval seeking behaviors. Like Me or Not, is a great reminder to keep the main thing the main thing; and for me, that's Jesus.
But I'll be honest, when I first chose this book, I was intrigued by the content, but never really considered myself an 'approval addict'. Sure, I liked when people were pleased with me, or showered me with their approval, but I was definitely in denial of any type of addiction regarding this topic. So, I casually entered into a relationship with this book and read only a few chapters over the Summer and then just kind of shelved it for later.
And let me tell ya, later came. I found myself being drawn back to it earlier this year, and I'm so glad that I was. Dawn has a gentle way of revealing how approval addiction shows up in marriage and friendship, in the workplace and our relationship with God. With solid, real-life examples from her own experiences, Dawn speaks about the power to overcome the need to please man, by focusing on the one relationship that really matters.
Like Me or Not, is full of scriptural references, Bible stories, prayers and even a study guide for small group leaders. She has literally done all the work for us in this one book and provided encouragement for women everywhere to break the cycle of approval addiction by choosing to take simple, strategic action, one day at a time.
But it starts with understanding that our identity comes from God. As Dawn so beautifully states on page 136-137, "we are not who our enemy says we are. We are not who the world says. We are not who our angry family members accuses us of being. We are not numbers. We are not defined by our performance or our lack thereof. Neither, in our true identities, are we addicts."
In the fast paced world of social media and platform and online influencing, it's easy to get wrapped up in the hype of approval seeking behaviors. Like Me or Not, is a great reminder to keep the main thing the main thing; and for me, that's Jesus.
May 17, 2018
Deb’s Dozen: Please like me! I want your approval. How to overcome approval addiction.
Addiction can take many forms. For some, it’s drugs; for others, video games; for still others, addiction is the need to be liked and approved. Dawn M. Owen’s book, Like Me or Not: Overcoming Approval Addiction, addresses the latter. Owens displays complete vulnerability and honesty in this book of suggestions and methods for overcoming the addiction. I can identify–I still find myself caught up in this trap on occasion.
I love Dawn’s ability to express how she felt and how she overcame those feelings. The chapter headings give us a clue: “Me, Insecure? That Chip on Your Shoulder, One Day at a Time, The Surrender Habit.” Her advice is sound and biblical. In “Me, Insecure?” she relates the story of a girl, Laura, who came across as poised and all together–Dawn tells that she was the opposite of Laura, as insecure as they come. Hey, Dawn! I was Laura–and I was as insecure as they come. The poise and confidence was an act, which tells us we shouldn’t judge others by their appearance.
Dawn shows us how easily we can be caught up in the addiction–when we compare ourselves to others, when we want to belong to a community, when we want success. Throughout the book, Owens shows us how to break those chains–and to build the habit of surrendering every day to God. God is the only One whose approval we need. Our identity in Christ gives us confidence, self-worth, and His approval–we’re kids of the King!
Dawn Owens is the founder and executive director of The Link of Cullman County, a ministry addressing poverty that serves over three thousand people a year in twenty-three locations. She has a radio show “Lunch at the Link” on Praise 97.9 FM and blogs frequently at dawnmowens.com. Like Me is her debut book, one I wanted to publish myself. Dawn and her husband and son live in Cullman, Alabama.
Worthy Inspired gave me a copy of Like Me or Not, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.
Addiction can take many forms. For some, it’s drugs; for others, video games; for still others, addiction is the need to be liked and approved. Dawn M. Owen’s book, Like Me or Not: Overcoming Approval Addiction, addresses the latter. Owens displays complete vulnerability and honesty in this book of suggestions and methods for overcoming the addiction. I can identify–I still find myself caught up in this trap on occasion.
I love Dawn’s ability to express how she felt and how she overcame those feelings. The chapter headings give us a clue: “Me, Insecure? That Chip on Your Shoulder, One Day at a Time, The Surrender Habit.” Her advice is sound and biblical. In “Me, Insecure?” she relates the story of a girl, Laura, who came across as poised and all together–Dawn tells that she was the opposite of Laura, as insecure as they come. Hey, Dawn! I was Laura–and I was as insecure as they come. The poise and confidence was an act, which tells us we shouldn’t judge others by their appearance.
Dawn shows us how easily we can be caught up in the addiction–when we compare ourselves to others, when we want to belong to a community, when we want success. Throughout the book, Owens shows us how to break those chains–and to build the habit of surrendering every day to God. God is the only One whose approval we need. Our identity in Christ gives us confidence, self-worth, and His approval–we’re kids of the King!
Dawn Owens is the founder and executive director of The Link of Cullman County, a ministry addressing poverty that serves over three thousand people a year in twenty-three locations. She has a radio show “Lunch at the Link” on Praise 97.9 FM and blogs frequently at dawnmowens.com. Like Me is her debut book, one I wanted to publish myself. Dawn and her husband and son live in Cullman, Alabama.
Worthy Inspired gave me a copy of Like Me or Not, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.
March 23, 2019
I highly recommend this book! Definitely worth reading
July 13, 2018
The author shares her struggles with approval addiction and the many ways it can be manifested. She uses truth found in God's word to remind us that our aim is to find our approval in God rather than men, and that there's nothing we have to do because we are already approved by God. She encourages us to remind ourselves of God's truth about us and look in the Bible for encouragement and help in letting go of needing and seeking the approval of others.
I liked that she kept pointing to scripture to find answers and help for our struggles. I was reminded again and again of Jesus' own life demonstration of choosing God's approval over man's approval. I thought it had some good things I can apply to my own life.
I liked that she kept pointing to scripture to find answers and help for our struggles. I was reminded again and again of Jesus' own life demonstration of choosing God's approval over man's approval. I thought it had some good things I can apply to my own life.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews