Seen and Valued

If there’s one thing I deeply hope people say about me, it’s that they appreciate me—not just for what I do, but for who I am. I hope they see the quiet strength behind my silence, the genuine care I offer even when it’s hard for me to express it openly, and the small but meaningful ways I try to make life better for those around me. Appreciation means the world to me, maybe because I’ve spent so much of my life silently longing for it.

Growing up, I didn’t hear words of appreciation very often. My parents, though loving in their own way, never really acknowledged my efforts. No matter how hard I tried—be it a drawing I poured my heart into or a little achievement at school—it often went unnoticed or was met with a quick nod instead of the warm words I craved. As a child, it felt like my efforts existed in an invisible bubble, like I was screaming into a void where no one could hear me. And while I’ve grown older and learned to navigate life on my own terms, that longing for appreciation stayed with me.

Sometimes, I wonder if it’s why I work so hard, why I care so deeply about making a difference. Maybe it’s why I seek out those little moments where someone notices something I’ve done or acknowledges the person I am. It fills a void that words left unspoken during my childhood carved into my heart. It’s not about needing constant validation—it’s about the human need to feel seen, to feel valued.

I want people to look back at the time they’ve spent with me and say, “She was someone who cared, someone who gave her best even when the odds were stacked against her.” I hope they notice how I’ve tried to bring a bit of kindness, understanding, or light into their lives. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll say, “She mattered.”

At the core, I think it’s because I know how painful it is to feel unappreciated. That’s why I try my best to show others that their efforts and feelings matter, even in small ways. It’s almost like I’m trying to give what I never received, to create a world where everyone feels the warmth I used to long for as a little girl.

So, if people ever say that they appreciate me—my kindness, my resilience, my sincerity—it would mean more than words can describe. It would be the kind of validation that touches your soul, the kind that reminds you that you’re not invisible, that your existence is meaningful, and that someone, somewhere, is thankful for you. And I think that’s all I’ve ever wanted—to know that I made a difference, even in the smallest way.

Daily writing prompt

Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.

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