Lately I have been sitting with the feeling of giving my all and getting very little back.
Not just in relationships. In friendships. In work. In the way I show up for people and communities. I keep noticing how often I am the one who shows up early, stays late, checks in, holds space, follows through, and cares deeply. And somehow I still end up feeling overlooked or taken for granted.
Over time, that kind of imbalance starts to weigh on you. Not in a loud or dramatic way, but quietly. It makes you pause and wonder if you are doing too much or expecting something people are simply not capable of giving.
The more I sit with it, the clearer it becomes. My effort is not the issue. My care is not a weakness. My consistency and emotional honesty are not flaws. They only feel that way when they are poured into spaces that do not know how to value them.
I am learning the difference between being too much and being in the wrong place. I do not need to shrink or harden myself to protect my peace. I just need to be more mindful about where my energy goes.