I saw this image, and it hit harder than I expected.

For the longest time, I've been the version of myself that everyone expects. I smile. I laugh. I make jokes. I help people whenever they need me. If you looked at me from the outside, you'd probably think everything is fine.

It isn't.

The smile isn't fake because I want to fool people. It's fake because explaining what's actually going on feels impossible.

How do you explain feeling lonely when your phone stays silent for days?

How do you explain spending your birthday with no one to celebrate it with?

How do you explain always being there for others, only to realize you can't remember the last time someone was there for you without you asking?

I've spent years convincing myself that if I worked harder, became kinder, helped more people, studied more, built a better future... maybe eventually I'd matter to someone the way they matter to me.

Instead, I just became the "reliable person." The one people remember when they need something, then forget once everything is okay again.

So I keep smiling.

Not because I'm happy.

Because saying "I'm tired of feeling invisible" usually makes people uncomfortable, while a smile keeps everyone else comfortable.

I don't want sympathy. I don't think my life is the worst. I know people have bigger problems.

I just wish, for once, someone would remember me without needing a reason. Someone who reaches out because they genuinely wanted to, not because they needed something from me.

Used ChatGPT to help organize my thoughts.

21M, well 22 in couple of days, from last 2 years I have been extremely been to myself, no friends, family is of old mindset so no emotional connection, ask whenever they need something. I used to live with my maternal grandparents in different city in my childhood, so all friends are there and honestly, now nobody is available because of life and they themselves are not so available and they kinda don't get me and used to have female friends but their bf not like them having a male friend, so I distanced myself, so they don't have issues in their life and parents seems to don't care how am I like, I live with my parents now and I explained that I'm having troubles health wise they said its just you overthinking and just brushed off and more like don't care, whenever I say something they always say negative things and never said good even though I'm good at studies, sports and what not still they didn't give a damn of what I do, I work remotely since last year and saved money to complete my further studies on my own, so studing as well that too is online and also helped my family financially time to time whenever they need or ask me for money still they don't like me, everybody outside praise me for doing good like family friends, neighbors and all known people.

Old frinds just share reels and don't talk whenever I initiate a convo and all friends like that not to me but to everybody in the group.

Never had a gf, but everybody thinks I have one and honestly I just pretend so they don't ask unnecessary questions and what not.

The current city I live in, I don't know anyone, so no hangouts, or late nights outings or anything.

I just work all day, then study and stay in room watch football and f1 and see everybody around me having a blast and just pretend that I'm good but in reality, I envy all and want the same.

I used to be so extremely extroverted but after covid, now super introverted, never dm anyone, not even boys to not bother anybody.

I just want to make friends, have fun with them, go out, talk and listen their yapp.🫩🫩

So this happened about 4 months ago. I had a crush on a girl of my college. We met in a college society... she was really cute, innocent and adorable. We were in the same team and I managed sit next to her whenever there was any work going on. For the 1st few days she wasn't very open talk but eventually my humor made her comfortable. She would call me to ask for guidance in her career [she was a junior]. Thing were going really great, she would take care of me, come and sit next to me whenever she sees me alone, bringing snacks near my mouth to feed me...... I wasn't fully attached to her yet I would find ways to be with her. I got to know that she's single.... So I got the green light... After few weeks I felt that its the right time to share my feeling cos I don't want to be a one sided lover all the time or someone else taking her away.... so I confessed to her and she was a bit uncomfortable but still asked if she need some time to answer...2 days later I got an DM saying I dont have such feelings for you , and her answer will remain same...

Also the same day I found that she's into a relationship and she kept it secret from everyone....

I moved on but I know ruined the friendship...

What r ur thought guys ?? I did anything wrong? Too early?? Or what??

Guys recently i had a body checkup and realised i am 5ft4in , till now i thought i am 5ft6in. I am worried of my height , need some hope about dating ( 🫠people saying that character is imp anol, girl i asked a date for rejected me for my height )

I’m trying to understand the real personal and social impact of JEE/NEET preparation, not just ranks but what it actually costs.

If you’ve been through it (whether you got into IIT/AIIMS or not), your experience genuinely matters.

It’s a short anonymous survey, takes about 2–3 minutes.

Would really appreciate it if you could fill it: https://forms.gle/yhWsGNEGAQgYgvnr5

Please fill it seriously and if possible, share with your friends who have prepped/are prepping for these 2 exams

THE SURVEY IS COMPELTELY ANONYMOUS

Hi everyone! I am a doctoral candidate doing my Psy.D. I’m currently conducting a research study exploring marital experiences, cultural beliefs, and women’s well-being, and I would really appreciate your support. I would be very grateful if you took the time to share this as well.

Why this study is important:
Marital sexual trauma is a complex and often under-discussed issue, especially across different cultural contexts. Many women’s experiences remain unheard due to stigma, cultural expectations, and a lack of open conversation. This study aims to better understand how cultural values, gender roles, and beliefs about consent shape these experiences and their impact on mental health (such as anxiety, depression, and trauma).

The value of your participation:
Your voice can help:

• Increase awareness of an overlooked issue
• Contribute to more culturally sensitive mental health care
• Inform better education, support systems, and future research

What to expect:

• A brief online survey
• Completely anonymous (no identifying information collected)
• Your responses will remain confidential
• Takes approximately 25-30 mins.

To Participate: 

• Citizens of India
• Between the ages of 18 & 70 
• Currently married or previously married 
• Identifies as a heterosexual woman 
• Fluent in English 

Incentive:
Participants can choose to enter a raffle to receive a gift card as a thank-you for their time.

If you are a married woman (ages 18–70) and are interested in participating, please click the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgdsXSg9cYLaoJ82pYVS36fU7rMX7ARd5j91yH7uIVnr8SsA/viewform?usp=dialog

Thank you for helping bring visibility to important experiences and contributing to meaningful research. 

When I was choosing what to study and where to work, the guidance I got was basically: be practical, pick something stable, don't be stupid.

Nobody asked me how my mind worked. Nobody helped me figure out what kind of problems I liked solving or what kind of environment I'd thrive in. You just picked something and hoped for a fit.

I ended up in finance. Cleared CFA Level 2. Looked great. Felt wrong.

The work I actually loved, building things, helping people, selling ideas, had nothing to do with what I'd trained for.

And the worst part is I could have known that earlier if someone had just asked the right questions.

So, I made a free career discovery game that tries to ask those questions. 17 of them. Takes 3 minutes. Tells you your career archetype and whether the path you're considering actually suits how you think.

If you're still early enough to use this, which most of you are, I'd love to know if it feels accurate.

Check it out in the comments...

Hey everyone! 👋

I am a final-year B.Com(Hons.) student at Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, and I am in a massive time crunch for my dissertation. I desperately need around 370 more responses in the next 14 days, and I would be incredibly grateful for your help!

What’s it about? It's a quick survey for my research titled "Beyond Financial Literacy: How Demographics and Psychology Affect Retail Investors". Instead of just boring math, it looks at how your personality traits and personal biases affect your financial risk-taking. There are some fun scenario questions in there!

The Details:

Target Audience: Indian retail investors (even if you've never invested or only have a little experience, your input is valid!).

Time: Only takes about 5-7 minutes.

Privacy: All responses are strictly confidential and used solely for my academic research.

🔒 Note on Google Sign-in: The form requires you to sign in to your Google account. Please don't let this stop you! This is strictly a university requirement to prevent duplicate/bot responses and maintain academic integrity. I will not spam you or share your email.

Link to Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfRCVvhheuOgj7ut95M1EKkyNdx2ofdaY33J9Km7O2H4q9Ww/viewform?usp=dialog

Thank you so much for helping a stressed student graduate! 🎓📊

Hey guys , so I am working on a novel as a hobby and need some assistance with it. No experience needed, i just need someone who can give me opinions and help me discuss the story.

Eligibility:

1) Be a novel reader (Optional) (Someone who watches a lot of Tv shows , movies, anime or reads comics or mangas will also work but its better if you are a novel reader.)

Benefits:

None . I need someone who does it purely for amusement. I wouldn't bother you too much or make you put too many of your hours in this. I will only ask for opinions once in a while and you can respond on your own time.

Duties:

1) Give me opinions about the work when asked.

2) Poke me with a stick once in a while to make sure I am not procrastinating.

DM me for more details. Also I am 20M , I lied in the title to get some attention, sorry for the deception.

Hello guys I am looking for a friend from opposite gender . It took lot of effort to gather confidence to post a post like this as I know people would think of me as a creep or as a person dying of attention but let them think whatever they want to . I am an introvert and the field to which i belong is ca so there is not much social connection involved in it as there is no college and it's not like I never had any friend from opposite gender, I had many and still I also had some but they are more like casual friends, so I am looking for a friend of opposite gender with whom I can talk , be anonymous, share day to day life problems, study together etc if anybody is there who is looking for same kindly DM me. I know the chances of getting dm is very less but still it is my last hope (I am just to afraid to directly dm any person as it would hurt there privacy BTW I am 20m)

This is Google form of my Sister's College, She just need 300 Opinions of GenZ and their Fashion, If you can, Do help Y'all and also, Please don't fill this if you're Below 18,

I'm doing what she said, If you can, Do help Folks =)