Meh.

“You don’t know what’s going on in people’s lives.”

Well… neither do I.

I recently came across some of my old Instagram posts and remembered what was actually happening behind each photo. Honestly, it felt like a wake-up call.

One photo showed me surrounded by yellow leaves last autumn, with the caption, “Of course I’m excited when I see yellow leaves.” But the reality? I was dealing with PMS, in a lot of pain, not in a good mood, and even arguing with my friends.

There was another post with a caption like, “…respect yourself too,” when in truth, I was going through a mental breakdown, trying so hard to please everyone. And there are definitely many more stories like this behind the scenes.

So here’s my point: never judge someone based on their social media.

Seriously—don’t.

First, stop comparing your behind-the-scenes life to someone else’s highlights. The person in that Instagram photo might be going through the same struggles as you. It just depends on how they choose to present themselves online. In my case, I don't prefer sharing my problems online.

Second, don’t define someone based on what they post. Don’t assume they have no struggles just because their content looks positive. The truth is, we really have no idea what people are going through.

That’s what I mean by a “wake-up call.” Sharing too much positivity can sometimes be misleading. People might start to think you never struggle, and when they’re going through something, they assume you “wouldn’t understand” because you always seem to be in your “comfort zone.”

And when you do face difficulties? People might think you can handle everything on your own because you’re “always strong and positive.” While that might sound like a good thing, it can also mean less empathy and support from others. And somehow, you end up dealing with everything alone.

So, Soli-maybe it’s time to share a little less.

(Although, to be fair, I’m already quite selective with my followers 😅)

I don’t even know why I’m writing this. I should be studying for my Turkish exam, and it’s driving me crazy.

Alright, back to studying.

Bye, silent reader!