Lately, it feels as though my marriage is going through a storm—a rough patch I hadn’t anticipated but can now feel in almost everything we do. The closeness that once felt natural now seems distant, buried beneath routines, responsibilities, and the quiet wear of time. We still function as a team in our daily lives, but the warmth, the admiration, the gestures that once reassured me of my worth, all seem to have quietly slipped away. I can’t help but feel that something vital is missing, and the loss of it is hard to ignore.

As I go about our life together, I’ve started to feel invisible, almost like a piece of furniture blending into the background. It’s a strange and uncomfortable feeling, not being noticed in the way I used to be, as if I’m no longer worth a second glance. There was a time when my partner’s eyes would light up when they looked at me, when a simple touch could convey more appreciation than words. Now, those moments are rare, and without them, I find myself questioning if I’m still valued and attractive in my partner’s eyes.

It’s not that I need constant attention or validation, but a part of me deeply longs to feel admired, appreciated, and genuinely seen. I want to know that I’m still a source of attraction, that the person I am and the life we share still holds value. There’s something healing, something profoundly reaffirming about knowing you’re cherished by the person you’ve chosen to spend your life with. It would mean so much to hear a kind word, to feel a touch that says, “I still see you, and I still value you.” Those small acts of recognition would fill a gap that has quietly grown over time, reminding me that I’m still a meaningful part of this shared journey.

In this moment, I’m not only hoping for appreciation from my partner; I’m also realizing the importance of finding that appreciation within myself. Maybe part of the answer lies in remembering my own worth, independent of anyone else’s perception. I want to show up with a renewed sense of confidence, to radiate the part of me that’s still vibrant, worthy, and lovable. Perhaps by rediscovering that in myself, I can open a doorway for my partner to see it too. I want to feel valued and attractive again, not only for them but also for myself—because that feeling of being truly seen and valued is something I no longer want to live without.