That Awkward Moment

A few months ago, I went to an event and unexpectedly bumped into a couple I hadn’t seen in years. We’d lost touch, so when they arrived, we just exchanged a friendly wave and smile. After the event, I noticed them walking toward me, still smiling, and assumed they were coming over to say hi. I smiled back, only for them to politely ask me to scoot over so they could sit beside the woman next to me, get her contact details, and take a photo with her. Apparently, she’s well known in the community, and everyone wanted to be acquainted with her. And just like that, I became invisible. It stung. I felt small, overlooked, unseen.

I replayed the moment in my head, wondering why it hurt so much. Was it pride? Ego? Or something deeper, something about worth?

That moment wasn’t really about them, it was about me. It revealed the quiet part of myself that still craves validation, the part that sometimes measures worth by who notices me in the room. What it ultimately showed me was that my value isn’t tied to recognition. It doesn’t shrink when someone overlooks me. My worth is constant. And that realisation didn’t break me, it freed me.

Now, I walk into rooms no longer hoping to be seen, but knowing that I already am. My value is not up for public confirmation. It’s anchored in the work I do, the lives I touch, and the legacy I am building.

Being overlooked can hurt, yes; but it can also shape us. It can become fuel.

So, here’s the shift I want to leave you with:

Reflect: When you feel invisible, pause and ask yourself: what story am I telling myself about my worth?

Decide: Choose not to let recognition, or the lack of it, define you.

Act: Anchor your worth in the work you do, the impact you make, and the values you live by.

You don’t need someone else’s acknowledgment to know your value. Let this be your invitation to stop chasing validation, and start creating a life that speaks for itself.

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