Now that you've devoted yourself to the rituals of hypertrophy and dietary precision, would you say you've attained the validation you were seeking?

Internally, has the discipline translated into genuine self-worth, or is it just a controlled displacement of deeper insecurities?

Externally, are the fleeting affirmations (double taps, passing compliments, unsolicited attention) sufficient to sustain the image you're curating? Or does the need for approval remain as persistent as ever, merely dressed in muscle and routine?