I think the inside and outside feelings should "match". That's why we have other people, so they can give feedback on how we "look" to the outside world. I can think/imagine anything I want, and my fears and fantasies make up my inside world. . . as well as that feedback I get from others. If you cut off the feedback loop, you just have what you have convinced yourself of?

Too, if you are not engaged with the outside world, if nothing is "happening" there, it is quite easy to think well of yourself, feel safe, etc. because there is nothing saying anything different anywhere, no challenge to your thoughts? Think of taking a test in school you believe you did well on and how glad you are to go to school to get the test back today, only to find you got a "C". Which was "true" -- yesterday's feelings or today's return of the test? They both were but life does not stand still, yesterday's thoughts, opinions, and feelings are subject to change today. When there is no change, something is wrong somewhere?