I feel invisible in my own home. It’s as though I’ve become a fixture, something that blends into the background, unnoticed and unappreciated. The love we once shared feels distant now, buried beneath the weight of routines, unspoken words, and years of familiarity. I try to remind myself that we built this life together, but lately, I can’t help but feel like I’m the only one trying to hold it all together.

I’ve spent so long pouring myself into this marriage—into being the perfect partner, the perfect caregiver—that I’ve forgotten who I was before. Somewhere along the way, I stopped asking for what I needed. I stopped dreaming big, laughing loudly, and taking risks. The woman I used to be, the one full of fire and ambition, feels like a stranger now.

But not anymore. I’ve decided it’s time to step out of the shadows, to rediscover the woman I was before the world told me to shrink. I’m taking small steps, finding ways to reconnect with the things that once made me feel alive. I’ve started saying yes to adventures I would’ve hesitated on before—whether it’s signing up for that dance class, traveling to a place I’ve always dreamed of, or simply spending time with people who see and celebrate me.

This journey isn’t about running away; it’s about running toward myself. I’m learning that I can value myself, even if I’m not always valued the way I want to be at home. And as I reclaim my confidence, I hope I’ll inspire the people around me to see me in a new light—or at least remind myself that I never needed anyone else to see me at all.