Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLook at ActionsSay “No” More OftenShow Some KindnessAppreciate OthersReframe Unhelpful ThoughtsSpeak UpTalk to a ProfessionalFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Small Ways to Feel Better When You’re Depressed Guide5 Things to Do If You Feel a Loss of Interest

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Look at Actions

Say “No” More Often

Show Some Kindness

Appreciate Others

Reframe Unhelpful Thoughts

Speak Up

Talk to a Professional

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Small Ways to Feel Better When You’re Depressed Guide

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It’s tough when you are feeling unappreciated. When you feel this way, it may seem as though you’re being taken for granted. After all, helping a friend move and making a special dinner for your loved ones takes a lot of time and energy. And when people don’t seem to notice, you might feel as though you’re efforts are overlooked and undervalued.

If you’re not careful,feeling unappreciatedcan lead to feelings of resentment and anger. Fortunately, these strategies can help you feel better and they might even prevent the relationship from being tarnished when you feel unappreciated.

Look for Appreciation Through Actions

Just because someone doesn’t say “thank you” doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate you. Not everyone uses words to express theirgratitude.

Your partner pulling you into a hug or a teenager giving you a big high five might be their way of saying thanks. Similarly, when your coworker invites you to lunch or your friend insists on paying for your coffee, they may be communicating their appreciation to you as well.

So, take a minute and consider whether those around you might be showing you their appreciation in a different way. You might discover that they’re likely more grateful for you than you give them credit for.

5 Ways People Show Love and Appreciation

Sometimes, the more you do for people without complaining, the more they expect you to do. And they might forget to appreciate all you do for them.

So it may be helpful to say “no” sometimes. This can remind people not to take it for granted that you’ll always be willing and available to pitch in.

Saying “no” sometimes can also be good for you if you’ve become a bit of apeople pleaser. Declining a social invite or request for a favor might be tough if you’re used to always saying “yes.” But doing so reminds you (and others) that you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.

There may also be times when you decide to set limits. For example, if you overhear one of your kids telling a friend, “You don’t have to put your dishes in the sink. My parents pick up after me,” you may want to have a talk about your role.

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Showing kindness can boost your own happiness. So consider whether helping others makes you feel good about yourself, even if others don’t seem to appreciate you as much as you’d like.

Take a look at all the things you gain from doing things for others and you might be surprised to see that there are many things to feel grateful for.

Focusing too much on the lack of appreciation you gain can cause you to forget to show appreciation for others. But saying “thank you” to those around you can inspire others to appreciate you too.

Thank your friends and family for all they do for you. You might show your appreciation with a verbal “thank you,” or you might send them a note reminding them how much you appreciate them.

Whatever way you choose to show your appreciation, make it genuine and heartfelt.

Reframe Negative Thoughts

Be on the lookout for exaggeratedlynegative thoughts. Thinking things like, “No one ever does anything nice for me,” or “Everyone expects me to do everything around here,” will only make you feel worse.

Remind yourself of times when other people have shown appreciation for you (even if you have to think back awhile). And remind yourself of times when you have been able to put limits on what you do.

Responding to your unhelpful thoughts with more realistic ones can help you feel a little more appreciated. You might remind yourself of things like, “My family appreciates all I do for them even if they don’t say it,” or “My family appreciates me sometimes,” and you might feel a little better.

How Cognitive Reframing Works

Don’t be afraid to say what you want. You might discover that other people are happy to show more appreciation when they understand how important it is to you.

Just remember, some people make jokes when they’re uncomfortable. And their discomfort might just be a reflection of how they feel about themselves, not how they feel about you.

If you chronically feel unappreciated, your relationships will likely suffer. You may want to talk to a licensed mental health professional about how you’re feeling. A therapist may recommend family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or other services to help you feel better.

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We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Frequently Asked QuestionsFeeling unappreciated means that you feel that other people don’t value you. It might mean that they don’t appreciate the things you’ve done for them, or it might mean that they don’t value you in general. This feeling can happen in all types of relationships and in many different settings, such as feeling unappreciated in a romantic relationship or in the workplace.It can be helpful to reframe how you feel about the situation. Consider other ways that people might be showing their appreciation and remind yourself that being thanked isn’t the only reason to do nice things for others.Remember that you can’t change how other people think or feel, so if it seems they are taking advantage of your kindness, set boundaries, practice saying “no” more often, and speak up about how you are feeling.Feeling unappreciated can leave a person questioning their own value. In relationships, it can leave people wondering if their partner actually cares. It can undermine self-esteem and contribute to conflict.In the workplace, it can impair motivation, commitment, and productivity. No matter where it occurs, people who feel unappreciated are likely to eventually draw back and stop putting in effort altogether.

Feeling unappreciated means that you feel that other people don’t value you. It might mean that they don’t appreciate the things you’ve done for them, or it might mean that they don’t value you in general. This feeling can happen in all types of relationships and in many different settings, such as feeling unappreciated in a romantic relationship or in the workplace.

It can be helpful to reframe how you feel about the situation. Consider other ways that people might be showing their appreciation and remind yourself that being thanked isn’t the only reason to do nice things for others.Remember that you can’t change how other people think or feel, so if it seems they are taking advantage of your kindness, set boundaries, practice saying “no” more often, and speak up about how you are feeling.

It can be helpful to reframe how you feel about the situation. Consider other ways that people might be showing their appreciation and remind yourself that being thanked isn’t the only reason to do nice things for others.

Remember that you can’t change how other people think or feel, so if it seems they are taking advantage of your kindness, set boundaries, practice saying “no” more often, and speak up about how you are feeling.

Feeling unappreciated can leave a person questioning their own value. In relationships, it can leave people wondering if their partner actually cares. It can undermine self-esteem and contribute to conflict.In the workplace, it can impair motivation, commitment, and productivity. No matter where it occurs, people who feel unappreciated are likely to eventually draw back and stop putting in effort altogether.

Feeling unappreciated can leave a person questioning their own value. In relationships, it can leave people wondering if their partner actually cares. It can undermine self-esteem and contribute to conflict.

In the workplace, it can impair motivation, commitment, and productivity. No matter where it occurs, people who feel unappreciated are likely to eventually draw back and stop putting in effort altogether.

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