Is it too much to want to feel appreciated, to know I’m still desirable and worth noticing? I sometimes wonder if this feeling is selfish, but then I think—aren’t we all wired to crave a sense of value, to feel that we’re still captivating in some way? I’ve spent years showing up for others, being reliable, supportive, and strong. Yet somewhere along the line, the appreciation for all that effort seems to have faded, and now I’m left questioning if I’m still seen at all.

I miss the days when I felt like someone worth admiring, when a small compliment or a lingering look could remind me that I had qualities others found compelling. I don’t want validation just for the things I do or the roles I fill. What I really want is to feel that, as a person, I’m still magnetic—still worth a second glance, a thoughtful gesture, or a word of admiration. It’s a longing that’s become louder lately, the need to feel desired not for the practical things I bring, but for my essence, my spirit, my unique presence.

There’s a part of me that wonders if I’ve become too practical, too wrapped up in the daily grind to even allow that side of myself to shine through. Life has a way of dulling those vibrant parts, wrapping us in layers of responsibility and routine until we can hardly see ourselves beneath them. But deep down, I still want to know I’m special, that someone sees beyond the predictable and notices something beautiful in me.

It’s not that I need this from others to feel complete, but maybe just one reminder—a moment where someone truly sees me and shows that I’m worth noticing—could help me remember it for myself. Perhaps, in being seen by others, I’ll start to reconnect with that inner spark, the part of me that’s always been there, quietly waiting to feel cherished and appreciated again.