I don't think that you are off topic at all and I appreciate your sharing. I've done the same thing - looking for some sort of validation for my pain and struggles. I get the "but look at how you turned out today!!!!!".
I've found that the more I'm wanting validation from someone else the more it means that I am not giving to myself from the inside out. I'm finally getting it that all of these things that I want from other people have to come from me - to me. The problem has been.....no one showed me all along the way how to do that and now I'm finally learning.....it's not easy stuff - at all.....
I'm glad that you are feeling a little better....