OK, I have to admit, I occasionally stalk people I know in real life on social media. OKAY, I will also admit that I'm doing it 24/7 at the moment but that has reasons and they will probably fade away soon enough.

Anyways, as I said, I'm currently really checking out what people are liking, especially on instagram. So the other day I was scrolling down this page and I see that a friend of mine liked a text post. Naturally, I click on it (yes, I am a bit annoyingly curious but most of the time I'm just worried whether people I care about are doing okay). I read through it and I think about the text and the person who liked it and I think back and remember certain things I have never talked about but thought are really important to share, so that's what I'm doing today.

To further explain my point, I might have to explain what sort of impression you get of her (my friend) as soon as you meet her. Seeing her, she appears pretty confident. She does not hold back with her opinion, even if it is controversial and she always seems to know where she's headed and what she wants.

So of course you'd guess: How could someone like that be insecure about anything?

The truth is, everyone of us has insecurities. Some of us are just better at hiding them.

It's the same with her. Now, she is/was incredibly nervous when she has/had to give a presentation. Like she'd stumble upon her words and all that and every teacher is usually like "How can a girl who's that confident have so many problems with speaking in front of the class?". I often walk home with her and after a day on which she had to present something, we kinda started talking about this and she was really opened up about all of it (which is really admirable I think!). I don't want to talk about the details even though she doesn't know about this blog, just because I think it is her own right to tell others. But to summarize it, her insecurities display heavily when everyone is watching her talking whereas she usually downplays them/covers them up (by the way: she got really better at this whole thing last school year and I am really proud of her to be honest).

Even more so, it confused me when I saw the post she liked on instagram, speaking about how everyone else is having so much fun in their teenage years while she's just being miserable 24/7. Not surprised because she also had really bad days - I mean we all do. But because she, out of all people, is comparing herself.

Don't get me wrong, I did that myself. But I thought maybe if she was conscious of how actively she is covering up her flaws and insecurities, she would understand that nearly everyone does. Everyone has problems and regrets and cries themselves to sleep sometimes. People just choose which side of them they want to present to the outer world and naturally, it's usually the best because who wouldn't want people to think fondly of them? It's like Taylor said: You see others highlight reel and your own behind-the-scenes and of course you start thinking "oh wow my life must suck". It's not only applicable to the internet, no, it's also something that happens in real life.

I guess what I want to say with all of this is: You're not alone. There are people out there who are going through the same pain, maybe closer to you than you think. And that's beautiful, isn't it? Because those same people will understand you if you reach out for them. They will get what you're going through. And if you haven't found them yet - well, keep searching. You got this. You are never alone.

And if you ever feel like you are, feel free to come to this blog or message me. I hope you know you deserve to find a life of your own.

xxx Sarah