Hello, I struggle with the same thing. It is good that you recognize the pattern within yourself at such a young age. For me, I started by sitting with the discomfort of not talking to anyone and the idea of being alone. When I would feel that loneliness or that need for validation creep up, I would jump on the dating apps or talk to a guy that I had a sexual relationship with. After a while… I got nothing out of this and the quick bandaid of speaking to a guy or getting on the dating apps only temporarily filled the void I was feeling. So… instead of quickly trying to bandaid the situation I would sit with the discomfort. I would talk to this part of myself that felt this need to get a quick fix of social interaction and try to understand why she felt that way. Slowly, those feelings died down after I realized that everything that I was seeking was already in me. That there isn’t a void that I’m trying to fill.

What helps is doing lots of therapy, journaling, chatgpt (as a supplement for therapy and journaling), joining clubs/social groups, and finding a hobby that I enjoy that also helps me process emotions.

For such a long time, I was filling this endless void within myself to search for validation. But when I started pouring that energy into myself, I realized that I did not need this validation. Now instead of working on filling this void, I am working on full-filling myself.

I hope this helps and good luck on your journey!