I’d been feeling neglected in my marriage for a while, like my husband was so used to having me there that he barely noticed me anymore. The lack of appreciation was chipping away at my confidence, and I began questioning if I was even attractive or desirable. That thought hurt, so I decided it was time to do something for myself.

One weekend, I booked a little getaway—a solo trip to the coast. It felt liberating to have time just for me, to wear what I wanted, eat where I pleased, and explore new places without anyone else’s schedule in mind. I spent one evening walking along the shore as the sun set, and it was like a calm washed over me. I realized that this experience was something I’d needed all along.

Over the weekend, I reconnected with myself. I laughed at my own jokes, snapped photos, and enjoyed the silence. On my last day there, I stopped by a small art gallery. The woman working there struck up a conversation, and she mentioned I had a “beautiful glow.” It was a simple compliment, but it was the validation I needed. Not from a stranger, but from the feeling that I had found my own worth again.

Returning home, I felt renewed. I wasn’t dependent on anyone else to feel beautiful or appreciated; I had the power to create those feelings for myself. The glow I’d found on that trip was still with me, and I knew it was something I’d keep shining, no matter what.