Cover image for blog post 'Feeling Left Behind? Read This If You Think Everyone’s Winning but You'
01 Jul 2025Life

Feeling Left Behind? Read This If You Think Everyone’s Winning but You

The raw truth about comparison, FOMO, and why being left behind is not the end of your story.

Pixel trending on social media

“Social media is the number one place where people feel left behind. Everyone looks like they’re winning—until you turn off your phone.”


The main reason we feel left behind starts with social media. Every app—whether for information, knowledge, or social contact—can make you feel like you’re falling behind.
Someone your age is doing better. Someone gets a government job early. Someone wins a medal. Meanwhile, you’re still hustling (or maybe just chilling), and it feels like you’re getting nowhere.

In my life, most of this comes from the online world.
Outside, in the real world, there are people doing better than me, sure—but there are also plenty who are worse off.
But online, it’s always the highlight reel.
That’s where introverts like me end up feeling left behind, hurting ourselves with the thought that we haven’t achieved anything “big” yet.


The Comparison Game Starts Early

A kid looking at a trophy in another kid's hand

I remember when there were no smartphones, my mom used to compare me with other kids—better at sports, better at studies, always better.
I got it into my head that I had to be first in my class. I tried and tried but never got there.
So, I copied the toppers: their routines, their study methods, even their tuitions.
But slowly, I realized: I’ll never be them. I’m me.

“Copying others, I was losing myself. I wasn’t living my life—I was living theirs.”

Nobody taught me to just learn from others instead of copying. I had to learn it the hard way.


Puberty, Popularity & Pretending

When puberty hit, the comparison game just leveled up.
Every guy wanted to stand out. I tried copying everything—clothes, language, walking style, hairstyle—just to be “different.”

When I switched schools, I saw my friends chasing the rich and strong. I wanted to stand out too—but for a middle-class kid, looking rich is easier than being rich.
And looking strong is easier than being strong.
This is where fakeness starts.

“The film industry started a lot of this mass comparison. Everyone wanted to copy the hero, just to impress.”


College, Social Media & FOMO

Students showing off in college, social media icons floating

College was when the real “left behind” feeling hit hard.
Cool hair, expensive bikes, showing off for girlfriends.
I spent more time and money trying to keep up with trends than actually focusing on my future.

Then came Instagram—big, bright, filtered pictures, less clutter, more “wow.”
I saw friends on vacations, buying new bikes, posting about relationships.
FOMO went through the roof.
I started thinking, “If I don’t do all this, I’ll get left behind.”

So I spent money on trips, alcohol, clothes, just to feel “caught up.”
But the feeling never lasted.


The Fast Lane Trap

“On Instagram, the race never ends. If you’re not in the latest trend, people say you’re left behind.”

I realized: trends change every day. People want something new every time.
If you don’t compare, you feel left behind.
Not wearing trending clothes? People judge you.
Don’t have a smartphone? People judge you.
Not “winning” at relationships? People judge you.

If Instagram was only for real people, 90% of the platform would disappear.
No one posts the dark side. Most of what you see is fake happiness.


Social Media: Addictive & Expensive

The endless scroll of comparison becomes an addiction.
You see a hairstyle—you want it. You see a product—they sell it to you.
The middle class spends the most, just to keep up.

And for men, ego kicks in.
Someone shows off a car, you want to prove you can buy a better one—maybe on loan, just to react.
You end up stressed, under debt, and all the profit goes to the companies.

It’s a trap.


What Real Winning Looks Like

“Staying real in real life is what winning looks like to me. God watches you in real life, not on social media.”

I’ve learned to stay calm, to ignore the traps, and just focus on real life.
People love authenticity in this fake world.
They want to see the real you—not the one you pretend to be online.

But when you finally start being real, it gets hard.
You feel invisible, unappreciated, and alone.
You just left the millions on social media, and suddenly it feels like nobody cares.

But there are people out there just like you.
They want authenticity, too.
Loneliness is part of the journey back to yourself.


Real Life vs Social Life

this is what social media

I saw a post about a woman feeding a stray dog, getting a ton of praise online—but in real life, she was struggling.
Then there’s an old man in my neighborhood. Every morning, he quietly feeds every animal that comes by—birds, dogs, cows.
He’s alone, maybe unnoticed, but the animals love him.
That’s real winning.

Running after likes won’t ever feel like that.


It’s Okay to Be Left Behind

If you’re not showing off, people won’t know your status. For me, that’s the best part—I keep my life private and safe.
I know people like me are out there, and if this blog helps even 1% of them, it’s worth it.

“Slow and steady is better than the fast pace of social media. You actually see, understand, and remember things.”

If I could talk to my younger self, I’d say:

Left behind is okay. You’re not late. You’re on the right track.
If you survived this far, it means something special is still waiting for you.

Remember, it’s only days that are good or bad—not your whole life.


A peaceful, empty road at sunrise, symbolizing slow progress

Final Thought

Try not to compare too much, and don’t chase someone else’s version of winning.
Stay real, stay kind, and let life unfold at your own pace.


If this resonates, share your story or just say hi in the feedback box—I read everything, even if it’s just a line or two.


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