At what point is the attention seeking extreme?

Recently, while driving, I saw a group of boys standing by the roadside, all huddled around a phone. What caught my attention wasn’t the phone or the excitement—it was one boy with a bandaged hand. For a split second, I imagined what it would feel like to have my hand wrapped like his—and I immediately dismissed the thought. I knew I didn’t want to be injured, inconvenienced, or restricted. I wanted to live freely and do the things I love with ease.

But that moment triggered a deeper reflection. I remembered a version of myself from the past—one that used to imagine misfortunes, not because I wanted pain, but because I thought it might bring more attention, more care. It wasn’t that I lacked love; in fact, I was always surrounded by it. My family adored me. I was never short of attention.

And yet, something in me still craved more.

Looking back, I realize I didn’t need more love—I needed to believe I was enough without earning it through drama or suffering. I had everything I needed, but somehow, I felt selfish for wanting more. Now? Now I realize that little version of me just didn’t understand her worth yet.

I know people who acted similarly, and it started to piss me off. But growth has taught me: people behave from what they know. And most times, they’ll grow out of it—just like I did.

At one point, my unconscious mantra was:
“The world revolves around me.”

I even posted it once, and people had mixed reactions. Do I still believe it? Maybe—but not in a way that demands attention through extremes. Not anymore. I no longer need the spotlight. I just want to be light—for myself and for others.

Darling, attention on you is not a bad thing.
It’s okay to want to be seen, heard, and loved. I still want attention—just in healthier, purer forms. But please—always pause to ask why you’re craving it. If your actions start leaning toward the extreme, it’s time to check in with yourself.

You don’t have to bleed to be held.
You don’t have to break to be seen.
You don’t have to suffer to be loved.

With a content smile,

HerSplendidThoughts