Feeling Unappreciated and Taken For Granted By Family or Loved Ones

A Personal Reflection

Mogaji Martins
Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs
4 min readMay 13, 2023

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Photo by Louis Galvez on Unsplash

Family is often considered a source of love, support, and appreciation.

We go above and beyond to show our care and fulfill their needs, hoping for reciprocation.

However, there are times when we find ourselves feeling unappreciated and taken for granted, which can be emotionally challenging.

Photo by whoislimos on Unsplash

In this personal article, I will delve into my own experiences of feeling unappreciated by family or loved ones, sharing a few hurtful summary stories that highlight the pain of such situations.

Finally, I will offer a piece of advice that can foster a positive change and promote appreciation within our families.

Don't cry for me, because I'm a big boy now, but it still hurts (in a shaky voice).

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

I have always believed that running errands for my family was a way to demonstrate my care.

I'm always available for whatever they might need help with, just to get the stress off them and to make them realize that I get them anytime, any day.

Yet, I've watched a pattern where my efforts are not acknowledged or reciprocated. Instead, they continue to pile on more errands, even when I'm in pain or overwhelmed.

This struck my heart, leaving an unappreciated feeling in me despite my effort.

Photo by Louis Galvez on Unsplash

On countless occasions, I have made it a priority to celebrate the achievements and milestones of my loved ones.

However, when it comes to my accomplishments, they often go unnoticed or receive a passing remark, leaving me feeling unnoticed and unimportant.

During times of emotional distress or when I needed a listening ear, my family members seemed preoccupied or dismissive of my feelings.

It hurts when the same support and care I offer are not extended to me when I need it the most.

Tears run down my heart, I even get to ask God "Why", despite my efforts to do good and please others, yet I feel alone.

Photo by Cut in A Moment on Unsplash

Despite my attempts to establish healthy boundaries and communicate my needs, they are often ignored or dismissed.

My family expects me to always be available, disregarding my own physical and emotional limitations.

My plans do not matter, all because they want theirs to be done.

As if I came to Earth to be under them, all because we stay under the same roof or because there are age gaps.

Come on, it is said that we need to respect and obey our elders, so I guess our elders need to be considerate and do unto others what they would like to be done unto them too.

Whether it's a simple act of kindness or a grand gesture, expressions of gratitude are scarce.

The absence of appreciation leaves me questioning the value of my efforts, and it diminishes my willingness to continue giving my all.

A Piece Of Advice For Positive Change:

Feeling unappreciated can strain relationships,

but there are steps we can take to foster a more appreciative and mutually supportive environment within our families:

Communicate openly:

Initiate honest conversations with your family about how you feel.

Share your thoughts and emotions, emphasizing the need for reciprocity and acknowledgment.

Establish boundaries:

Clearly define your boundaries and communicate them assertively.

Encourage your loved ones to respect and understand your limits and needs.

Practice self-care:

Prioritize self-care and nurture your well-being.

By valuing yourself, you demonstrate the importance of being appreciated and treated with kindness.

Lead by example:

Show appreciation and gratitude for your family members.

By modeling this behavior, you can inspire them to reciprocate and create a culture of appreciation within the family.

Seek support if needed:

If efforts to address the issue within the family don't yield positive results, consider seeking support from trusted friends, therapists, or support groups who can provide guidance and perspective.

Feeling unappreciated and taken for granted by family or loved ones can be an emotionally taxing experience.

It's essential to communicate openly, set boundaries, prioritize self-care, lead by example, and seek support if needed.

Remember, fostering a culture of appreciation requires effort from all parties involved.

By taking steps toward positive change, we can cultivate stronger, healthier, and more appreciative relationships within our families.

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Mogaji Martins
Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs

Songwriter / Scriptwriter / Music lover / Movie lover / Entertainment lover.