Let me start with this—I have felt worse than being unappreciated by others. The worst was when I failed to appreciate myself.

I believe that’s the hardest battle: you against you. And winning yourself to your own side is the only way forward.

To answer your question, yes, there have been times in my life when I felt unappreciated by those around me. But with time, I realized that I was limiting my perspective, mistaking my immediate surroundings for the entire world.

But can they truly define my entire world?

The world is vast. And the world is ever expanding, so why would I limit myself, my world?

If my colleagues or seniors fail to appreciate me, that does not mean my work won’t be valued elsewhere—by people far beyond my current circle, including you, reading this right now.

That being said, I acknowledge the importance of validation. As human beings, we crave recognition, acknowledgment, and appreciation, especially from those closest to us. I truly wish everyone had that support in those initial steps of their journey.

As those are the tough ones, and only the tough continue.


Meanwhile, we must also acknowledge that people change. Their motivations shift. So?

All those who fail to appreciate you today might admire you tomorrow—when they see how far you’ve come, how much effort you’ve put in, and how you’re now thriving.

While that may seem like a dream for the future, there is something I have promised myself in this present—something I believe you can promise yourself as well. I have captured it in my poem, My Promise to My Fence Sitters, and I encourage you to read it:
https://www.ambidextrousanmol.com/2025/02/my-promise-to-my-fence-sitters.html

Because you deserve to feel valued and appreciated. And sometimes, that journey begins with appreciating yourself.

That’s why the promise 🤗

Happy reading 😊

Your Psychologist,
Ambidextrous Anmol