Some people initiate more naturally than others. That alone does not make a relationship one-sided. The concern is whether the other person responds with warmth, follows through and sometimes creates connection without being prompted. If nothing happens unless you make it happen, the pattern deserves a direct look.
Measure reciprocity broadly
One person may send the first text while the other plans thoughtful dates or provides steady emotional support. Look at the whole relationship before keeping score.
But do not invent invisible effort. Mutual interest should appear in observable behavior.
Ask instead of testing
Say that you have noticed you initiate most contact and ask how they see the connection. A clear conversation provides better information than disappearing to provoke a reaction.
Listen for both the answer and the behavior afterward. Awareness without change may still leave you carrying the relationship.
Stop overfunctioning
Stepping back is not punishment when it means returning to a sustainable level of effort. Make room for the other person to choose participation.
If the connection fades immediately, your effort may have been maintaining access rather than building mutuality. That can hurt, but it is valuable clarity.
A grounded next step
Match your effort to what is actually being built. You do not need perfect symmetry, but you do need enough reciprocity that affection feels shared rather than extracted.