Have I ever felt the need to look more successful than I really was? Yes I have and I think many of us have, even if we never admit it.
It usually starts slowly and quietly. You scroll through your phone and see a friend's new car, someone else's holiday abroad, a new shop opening with balloons and a big ribbon. Then you look at your own life and start asking yourself if you are falling behind.
I remember when my friend bought an iPhone 14 Pro. Honestly, I was tempted to go and buy my own. The truth was I didn't have up to that amount in my account, so I started thinking of borrowing from someone. But at some point, I had to sit myself down and talk some sense into me. The phone a person uses doesn't really matter, and it is certainly not a measure of success. So I dropped the idea and continued with my phone.
The funny thing is that the phone I was using was very good. It was doing everything I needed it to do. But the pressure almost pushed me into borrowing money, just to feel among. That still surprises me when I think about it.
Social media doesn't help. People post only the finished picture. You don't see the waiting, the struggles, or the sleepless nights behind it. When we compare our ordinary days to someone else's best moments, we will always feel small, and that isn't fair to us.
My work as a teacher shows me this every day. Some of my pupils are eager to show off the nicest bag or the newest sandals. Yet the child who is slowly learning to read, one word at a time, is the one building something that lasts. I keep telling them, and myself, that growth is slow and often doesn't look impressive.
So would I choose to look successful now, or build a life that makes me successful later? I choose to build. Pretending costs money, energy, and peace of mind. Building costs patience, but it gives back much more.
These days I focus on the quiet things. I save small amounts, I learn new skills, and I keep working on my blog and my projects even when no one is watching. Some of it may take years to show, and I'm okay with that.
You don't have to prove you are successful while you are still becoming successful. No pressure, I'm taking my time.
Image is from Google Gemini