Insecurity - Personality Trait?

I had a really deep conversation with a friend last night and I already knew this but it reinforced for me some things I've been thinking for a while but haven't articulated yet.

Through self-discovery I want to understand and accept who I am but there is something I'm unsure of: - I want to feel loved and cared about.

Is this an insecurity or personality trait? I know that because of this, I've tended toward dishonesty with people about my own true feelings- played up my emotions or tricked myself into them. I noticed this pattern recently.

Immediately after "the breakup" and the following months, I focussed a lot on what I did wrong and what I could have done differently. I thought a lot about what was wrong with me. I blamed myself. In my vulnerable state, I took his criticism of me to heart and found so many faults in myself. My resulting mentality was toxic. Obsessing over the past and my flaws, I tried to grow. I tried to change. But I couldn't because I was going about it all wrong.

Starting with the truth: There is nothing wrong with me. I have been hurt and I am healing.