Reading a study from the University of Michigan about how 72% of people feel lonely even with friends around made me stop pretending I'm fine all the time.

I found that stat in a psychology article last Tuesday, and it finally clicked that my own 'happy face' is probably making my friends think they're the only ones feeling that way, so how do you start being more real without dumping your problems on people?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.finley18d ago

That Michigan study got me wondering if 72% of people are just overthinking normal quiet moments. Most friends aren't expecting a performance, so a simple "today was rough" is enough. The pressure to be perfectly real might be the actual problem.

hannah40018d ago

Yeah, it's like we're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. We get so caught up in finding the "right" way to be honest that we forget the point is just to share a feeling. That over-analysis is what makes simple chats feel heavy.

stellaperry18d ago

Exactly, we make it way too hard sometimes lol. Just say the thing and move on.