I am Not Who I Pretend to Be Online

On social media, I look happy. My photos look perfect. My smile looks real. People see me and think, “Wow, she has everything together.”

But here is the truth: I do not.

Behind every perfect photo, there is a part of me that feels tired, sad, or lost. I have become good at hiding how I really feel.

What People See Is Not Always Real

I know how to pose for the camera. I know which side of my face looks better. I have even practiced smiling so it looks natural. Sometimes I even laugh on purpose just to get the perfect shot.

People scroll through my posts and say things like:

• You are glowing!
• You always seem so happy.
• I wish I had your confidence.

But the truth is, they are not seeing the real me. They are seeing the version of me I choose to share.

What You Do not See

There are so much people do not know.

You do not see the nights I cry for no clear reason.

You do not see me lying in bed, too tired or anxious to get up.

You do not see how many times I delete photos because I do not like how I look.

When I stop posting for a while, it is not because I am busy. It is usually because I am not okay. But when I return, I post something nice something calm and “positive.”

A pretty photo with a simple caption like:

“One step at a time 🌙”

And people like it. Some even comment, “Stay strong ❤️.”

I read the messages, and I smile but it is not because I am okay. It is because I feel like I have tricked everyone again.

How I Changed Online

When I first joined social media, it was fun. I shared silly selfies, food I loved, and funny moments with my friends. It was real.

But slowly, I noticed people liked the more “perfect” version of me. The filtered photos. The deep quotes. The clean, stylish look.

So, I started sharing more of that. I thought: If they like this version of me, I should keep showing it. And I did.

But over time, I began hiding more and more of my real self. The more they liked the fake version of me, the more I hid the real one. And now, I am not even sure if I like the real me anymore.

The Photo That Got So Many Likes

There is one photo I remember clearly. I was on a rooftop, laughing. The background looked beautiful. The lighting was perfect. The picture got hundreds of likes and comments like:

You look so free!

This is goals!

But no one knew the truth.

Just minutes before that photo, I was in the bathroom having a panic attack. My hands were shaking, I could not breathe, and I hated how I looked in the mirror. I wiped my tears, fixed my makeup, and walked out pretending everything was fine.

I smiled for the photo and laughed on cue. That picture became one of my most liked posts.

But it was not real.

Maybe You Feel This Too

Maybe you have done this before posted a smiling picture when you were feeling sad inside.

Maybe you have written a positive quote on a day when you felt broken.

Maybe you have smiled online when you were struggling offline.

If you have done any of that, you are not alone.

I have done it too.

Many people have.

It does not mean we are lying. It just means we are human. We all want to be liked. We all want to feel accepted. But we’re afraid to show the parts that do not look “perfect.”

Today, I Want to Be Honest

Today, I do not want to hide.

I do not want to post just to look good. I want to be real, even if it means fewer people will like my photos.

So, here is the truth:

I feel tired most days.

I worry too much.

I have bad days.

I am still learning how to love who I am.

I am not perfect, but I am trying.

And maybe, just maybe, the real me deserves to be seen too. Not just the pretty version with good lighting and a fake smile.

A Message for You

If you have ever felt fake online…

If you have ever smiled for the camera while hurting inside…

If you have ever felt scared to show the real you…

I want you to know:

You do not have to be perfect to be loved.

You do not have to hide your sadness or fears.

You are allowed to feel broken sometimes.

You are allowed to be real.

Being real might not get you the most likes. But it can help you like yourself a little more.

Final Thoughts

I am not who I post to be.

But I’m learning to be someone I do not need to hide.

Someone I can live with.

Someone I can be proud of even without the filters.

And I hope you will try to do the same.

Because being real is always more powerful than being perfect.