This week’s prompt got me thinking about the phrase “fake it till you make it,” and how much it has influenced society today. One popular belief I think has negatively influenced society is exactly that mindset.
At first, it sounds like harmless advice. Something people say to help you build confidence when you’re still figuring life out. Like just keep going, even if you don’t fully feel ready yet. But over time, I feel like the meaning has slowly changed, especially on the internet.
Now it feels like people are under pressure to always look successful, happy, or financially stable even when they’re still struggling privately. Instead of focusing on real growth, a lot of people are more focused on appearance and maintaining an image. And honestly, that kind of pressure can be really exhausting.
On social media, it’s easy to feel like everyone has it figured out. But most of the time, we’re only seeing the “finished picture,” not the process behind it. That’s where comparison starts. You begin to feel like you’re behind in life, when in reality you’re just not seeing the full story of others.
AI generated image
For younger people around me, I always try to remind them that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. There’s no need to rush or pretend. Everyone is moving at their own pace, and real growth actually takes time. It’s better to be honest about where you are than to act like you’ve already arrived.
Personally, I try not to fall into that pressure. I just focus on my own process and building step by step, even if it feels slow. I also remind myself that real progress matters more than how things look from the outside.
At the end of the day, I think it’s better to grow quietly and genuinely than to fake success just to keep up with an image. It might take time, but it’s more stable, more real, and more fulfilling in the long run.
That’s it from me. Thanks for reading❤️