I gave it my all, yet it was considered to be what is simply expected of me & my role.
I do everything at home. Nobody shares my responsibilities, & it feels incredibly overwhelming. I am fed up.
I pull myself out even in my illness to be available for emergencies at work, yet no one values me or acknowledges my efforts.
We hear a lot of this, & it resonates deeply with me. I have felt unappreciated, unwanted, & unloved too, both at work & personally.
It is human nature to want recognition, appreciation, & that pat on our backs that signifies our worth & effort.
Praising someone for their good work, ethics, & behavior takes a lot of grace & thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, most people are not appreciated nor praised for their efforts.
This is mostly because most people don’t know how to praise someone, don’t slow down to appreciate someone, or just don’t consider it important enough.
Here are some tips for appreciating another which worked for me & made a significant difference:
– Just notice, call out what you feel, specifically the positives, & let them know you see their effort.
– Be specific. Vague praise seems shallow & unthoughtful, sounds like flattery, so be real & genuine in your words.
– Be honest. Praise things & efforts that you noticed. Be sincere in your acknowledgment.
– Never mix appreciation & favor. It seems like a setup & loses its impact, making the praise feel less genuine.
– Beware of people seeking an honest opinion. It is often a cry for reassurance & support.
How do you appreciate others in your life? What kind of appreciation have you received that had an impact on you? Reflect on these questions & think about how you can spread more genuine appreciation in your daily interactions.
Thoughts?