the desire to be loved is the last illusion,
give it up and you will be free
When Margret Atwood said this she was not wrong. No one has ever died due to no love.
But the idea of love is so intoxicating that we are willing to do anything to get it. Everything we do is, in some way, an attempt to be loved. We write not just to express, but to be seen—to have our thoughts linger in someone else’s mind. We study for academic validation, a nod of approval that affirms our worth. We dress up, not merely for ourselves, but for the admiring glance that makes us feel valued in the eyes of others. Every achievement we chase, every goal we set, is laced with the desire to be acknowledged, to be told we matter. When we post pictures, it’s not just about capturing a moment; it’s about inviting others into it, seeking their appreciation as a reflection of our own significance. Even in the quiet act of cooking, we hope for compliments, for the warmth of someone’s gratitude to wrap around us. At the heart of it all, we live with a silent, yet powerful hope—that someday, someone will treasure us, see us in our entirety, and love us for all that we are.
But to be loved, to be cherished, to be seen, to be heard, to be understood, to be valued, to be appreciated, to be respected, to be admired, to be desired, to be wanted, to be needed, to be held, to be touched, to be kissed, to be hugged, to be cuddled, to be caressed, to be cared for, to be protected, to be supported, to be encouraged, to be inspired, to be uplifted, to be empowered, to be celebrated, to be praised, to be complimented, to be spoiled, to be pampered, to be surprised, to be romanced, and to be court is it too much to ask for?