As my marriage moves through a difficult phase, I’m feeling the absence of something that used to be so present, so real. There was a time when I felt truly seen, admired, even cherished in the smallest of ways, and I never questioned my place in my partner’s heart. But lately, that certainty has grown dim, replaced by the weight of routine, and an unspoken distance that seems to have crept between us. I can’t ignore the way I feel: a bit invisible, a bit overlooked, and maybe a bit unworthy of the kind of attention that once felt effortless between us.

When I look back on our relationship, I remember the thrill of simply being noticed. Every word, every laugh, every shared look felt charged with warmth and meaning. My partner used to look at me like I was the only person in the room. I’d catch their gaze and feel my heart lift, knowing that I was still attractive, still a source of admiration. Now, that sense of mutual appreciation has faded into the background, and I can’t help but wonder what happened to the little gestures that made me feel so treasured.

It’s not that I want lavish praise or constant attention, but I miss the way my partner’s presence used to remind me of my own worth. There’s something incredibly powerful about feeling seen, especially by someone who knows you so deeply. I long for those small but meaningful gestures—a compliment, an affectionate touch, a smile that says “I see you”—things that reassured me I was still captivating, still worthy of admiration.

Right now, I feel an urge to reconnect with that part of myself that’s still vibrant, still deserving of attention, even if I don’t always feel that way. Perhaps it starts within me, with a reminder to myself that I am still whole, still beautiful, still worth noticing. I want to show up with a confidence that radiates outward, a confidence that reminds both myself and my partner of the person I am beneath the layers of responsibility and routine.

Maybe by reigniting that spark in myself, I can invite my partner to see me with fresh eyes, to rekindle a sense of appreciation that I hope still lives between us. It’s a quiet longing, but it’s one I’m determined to hold onto: the belief that I’m still attractive, still worth noticing, and still worthy of the love and admiration we once shared. And while I want to feel that from my partner, I’m realizing that the journey begins with me, embracing who I am and remembering that I am, indeed, still worth celebrating.