Today is my birthday, and all I hope for is to feel loved and valued by those around me ‎.b

Today is my birthday, and all I hope for is to feel loved and valued by those around me. It’s a feeling that many of us long for, especially on days that are meant to celebrate who we are. Birthdays are often seen as an opportunity for people to show you just how much they care, to make you feel special, appreciated, and truly seen. But as I wake up this morning, I find myself wondering if those feelings will be present in my life today. Will anyone remember? Will anyone take the time to acknowledge my existence? Will I feel loved, even for just a moment?

It’s not about grand gestures or lavish presents. It’s not about receiving expensive gifts or throwing a huge party. What I truly desire is something much simpler and much more meaningful. I just want to know that the people around me care, that my life matters to them, and that I am not invisible in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

I think about the relationships I’ve built over the years—the friendships, the family bonds, the connections that have shaped me into who I am today. I’ve always tried to be there for the people I care about, to show them kindness and love, to listen to their troubles, and to support them when they need it most. But sometimes, I wonder if that kindness is ever truly reciprocated, or if I’m just someone who is taken for granted, someone who is overlooked on the days when I need it the most.

Today, I want to feel valued. It’s not too much to ask, is it? We all want to feel like we matter, like our presence has an impact on the world around us. Birthdays are a reminder of the years we’ve lived, the moments we’ve experienced, and the people who have crossed our paths. They are an opportunity to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished, the relationships we’ve nurtured, and the love we’ve given and received. But when those moments pass by quietly, without anyone acknowledging them, it feels like a painful reminder that maybe we aren’t as important as we think.

As the morning passes, I find myself staring at my phone, waiting for a message or a call. Maybe someone will reach out today, even just to wish me well. But the hours go by without any sign of life from those I thought would remember. It’s not that I’m expecting something extravagant. A simple text, a phone call, a small gesture of love would be enough to make me feel seen, to make me feel like I’m not alone in the world. But as the silence stretches on, I can’t help but feel a growing sense of emptiness.

I wonder if people have forgotten about me, or if they simply don’t care enough to make the effort. After all, life is busy. People have their own lives to worry about, their own responsibilities, and maybe they just don’t think of me in the same way that I think of them. Perhaps I’m not as important to them as I had imagined. It’s a painful thought, one that lingers in the back of my mind and refuses to go away.

I try to push these thoughts aside, reminding myself that my worth isn’t dependent on other people’s recognition. But it’s hard not to feel the sting of neglect, especially on a day that is supposed to be about me. I’ve spent so many years caring for others, putting their needs before my own, and yet today, I can’t help but feel like I’m being overlooked. Why does it feel so much harder to feel loved when you’re the one who needs it most?

I think about the people in my life who have made me feel loved, even if they haven’t always been perfect. My family, my friends, the ones who have stuck by me through thick and thin. They’ve shown me love in their own ways, even if it’s not always in the form that I expect or desire. And yet, on days like today, when I am hoping for something more, their absence is felt more strongly than ever.

Maybe it’s the expectations that come with a birthday that make the lack of acknowledgment feel even more painful. Birthdays are supposed to be a celebration, a moment to reflect on the passing of time and the people who have made a difference in our lives. But when you wake up to an empty inbox and no one reaches out to you, it feels like you’re being left behind, like you don’t matter enough to be celebrated.

But I also know that my worth is not defined by others. I have to remind myself of this, especially when I feel so alone. The love I seek is not something that can be measured by the actions of others, but something that starts from within. I have to love myself first, to value myself for who I am, and to recognize my own worth. It’s not easy, especially when I feel like no one else sees it, but it’s something I have to keep reminding myself.

As the day goes on, I try to find solace in the small things. I go for a walk outside, hoping that the fresh air will lift my spirits. I take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world around me—the trees, the sky, the birds singing. I remind myself that even if no one else is celebrating me today, I can still celebrate my own existence. I am here, I am alive, and I am worthy of love and happiness, even if it’s not always expressed in the ways I want.

And yet, the sadness lingers. I can’t help but feel that something is missing, that I’m still waiting for the validation that I so desperately crave. It’s not that I need anyone to throw a grand celebration or shower me with gifts. What I want, more than anything, is for someone to reach out, to make me feel like I am not invisible, that I am valued and loved just for being myself.

But as the evening approaches, I realize that maybe the love I seek isn’t something that will come from others, but something I need to give to myself. Maybe this is a lesson in self-love, in learning to appreciate who I am without needing constant validation from those around me. It’s a hard lesson to learn, especially on a day when I long for connection and affection. But perhaps, this is the reminder I need—that I am enough, just as I am.

As I reflect on the day, I realize that birthdays are not just about the people who remember you or the celebrations you receive. They are about taking a moment to appreciate the life you’ve lived, the lessons you’ve learned, and the love you’ve given. And even if this birthday didn’t bring the kind of recognition I had hoped for, it has taught me something important. It’s shown me that the love I need is already within me, and that I am worthy of celebrating, no matter who else remembers.

Tomorrow is a new day, and with it comes the opportunity to build stronger connections, to show the people I care about how much they mean to me, and to continue my journey of self-love and acceptance. Birthdays may come and go, but the love we have for ourselves is what truly matters. And today, I am choosing to love myself, to value myself, and to appreciate the gift of being alive. That is the greatest gift of all.