How I Became a Lie: Unmasking My Secret Battle with Loneliness

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the ‘strong one,’ the ‘sabka pyaara’ friend, the one everyone could count on. In our Indian homes, showing weakness often feels like letting your family down, like you’re not resilient enough. So, from a young age, I perfected the art of putting on a brave face. Whether it was the pressure of board exams, a difficult family situation, or just a general sense of unease, I learned to smile through it. “Bas thoda stress hai,” I’d tell myself, even as a knot formed in my stomach. This act, this carefully constructed persona, became my reality.

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