Looking back at my past, I realise how much of my struggles were shaped by what I didn’t receive when I was younger. I grew up without much affirmation from my parents or adults around me, and over time, I found myself silently craving it. That gap has followed me into adulthood, where I sometimes look to others to validate my efforts or worth. It isn’t about attention or recognition; it’s about a part of me that never had the chance to feel acknowledged.
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| What I’ve realised is that it’s not just about affirmation itself. It’s about the kind of affirmation that reaches me. |
I don’t need big, fancy words or people showering me with compliments. In fact, those things often feel cheap and empty to me. I don’t need to be in the spotlight or have the loudest applause; I never belonged on that stage. What I long for is sincerity. A smile that says, “I see what you did,” or someone describing in their own words that they understand what I’ve gone through—that means everything to me. It makes me feel that my effort and experience are not being overlooked. I don’t need more than that. A genuine response is all that's needed.


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