As a middle child, I often feel lost in the space between my siblings. It’s a quiet kind of sadness, knowing that no matter how hard I try, I’m never the center of attention. My older sibling shines with accomplishments, and my younger one needs constant care, leaving me to figure things out on my own. I crave the love and recognition that seems to come so easily to them, but I’ve learned to keep my feelings hidden, pretending it doesn’t hurt when I’m overlooked. The silence I carry weighs heavily, and sometimes I wonder if anyone even notices the effort I put into trying to belong.
This sadness has shaped me in ways I never expected. I’ve grown more independent, but not by choice. It feels like I have to be, because no one really asks how I’m doing. I’ve developed a deep empathy for others because I know what it’s like to feel invisible. Still, that quiet longing for love never goes away. Even when I tell myself that I’m strong enough to handle being unnoticed, the sadness lingers. I wonder if there will ever be a moment when I am truly seen, not just as the one in between, but as someone deserving of love and attention, too.
