“I appreciate you!” doesn’t mean what you think it means.
I used to think that being appreciated meant to receive validation of effort, work or time spent for someone else and they recognized the benefit they received from it.
But no, simply acknowledging someone else’s effort isn’t appreciation.
It’s stating the obvious.
They’re saying:
“I see that you did a thing. I like that thing.”
This is not appreciation.
But everyone thinks that it is.
No— appreciation is when you receive something of value and you look for ways to reciprocate the time, effort or work back to the person who showed you kindness.
Appreciation is communicated by action, not words.
Words are cheap. Bring something valuable to the table.
Otherwise if you continue to take advantage of people who freely gave of their time, effort & work to lessen your burden— you’ll find yourself alone, wondering why nobody decides to stay.
It’s not because you aren’t lovable.
You simply just love yourself too much to think about others. And that leaves no room to appreciate them.
Do better.
Be better.
Love better.
andrea statler 