But non of that is _peer_ recognition. HR is not your peer, your boss is probably not your peer, your coworkers are probably your peers.

I would think that your peers are the people you socialize with. If you never had a non work-related conversation with someone, you most likely don't see them as your peer.

People pretending to be your peers, pretending to appreciate you, wont feel rewarding. But you willingly do things for the people you like and hang around with without remuneration. Is your wife, your sibliblings, or your friendly neighbour not your peers?

If you have no peers, whose recognition you appreciate, at work. Then there is something wrong with the work environment and that problem is probablh management.