As I grew older, the battles shifted from words to an internal war. I watched how some peers slipped effortlessly into groups, how their voices echoed louder and their faces shined brighter in the hallways and on social media. I wanted to belong—to be part of the laughter, the memories, the moments everyone seemed to cherish.

But this longing came with a cost. I found myself changing—altering how I dressed, what I said, and sometimes who I was—just to fit in. The fear of missing out gnawed at me relentlessly. Every notification buzz was a reminder: a party I wasn’t at, a night I didn’t share, a connection I lacked. It was exhausting, this constant measuring of my life against a highlight reel, and it left me wondering if I was enough at all.

More than once, I stood outside the room filled with voices and warmth, watching from the cold edge, feeling more alone than ever.