In a world where we share everything, our meals, milestones, opinions and so on, it’s easy to fall into the trap of judging others. Especially online, where the full story is rarely told, and where compassion can feel like a scarce commodity. But here’s the truth worth sharing, just because life is easy for you right now doesn’t mean everyone is walking the same smooth path.
If life has been kind to you. If your health is stable, your relationships are healthy, your finances are steady, you’re having children immediately after marriage, your family is peaceful, your life is practically ‘balanced’, that is a gift. But that gift doesn’t entitle anyone to belittle the decisions of others whose lives are shaped by struggle. We don’t all start from the same place. Some people are navigating childhood trauma, systemic barriers, untold delays, mental health crises, or the weight of constant loss. In the face of such things, choices that may seem unwise from the outside often come from a place of survival, not f*olishness.
There’s a growing trend on social media that’s honestly sad to see. People mocking the choices of others, calling them out for seeking help, for devising harmless means of survival, for staying in difficult relationships, for not living up to certain standards. These posts are not just unkind, they are ignorant. Many people are carrying burdens we don’t see, anxiety, broken homes, poverty, illness, grief, and so on. They’re doing their best with what they have, and sometimes, surviving is a bigger win than we realise.
Compassion isn’t about excusing every behaviour, but about understanding context before casting judgment. It’s about recognizing that not everyone has the luxury of choosing the best path. Sometimes, people choose the path that simply allows them to breathe another day.
So if you are in a season of ease, let it make you softer and more reasonable. Inspire people with your success stories but don’t make them feel less. Let your comfort fuel empathy, not arrogance. Because life has a way of turning tables, and tomorrow, you might find yourself needing the grace you withhold from others today.
If you’re young and still figuring life out, be motivated by the success stories you hear or read but don’t be influenced by the arrogance that some of them carry.
Practice kindness before judgment. You never lose anything by being gentle with your words.
Don’t assume someone is not measuring up because their journey looks different. Everyone has a story and some chapters are heavy.
Be a safe place for your friends. Let them talk without fear of being laughed at or judged.
Use your strength to lift, not to shame. If you’re doing well, look around. Someone may need your support, not your opinion.
Think before you post. If what you’re about to share online could make someone feel smaller, maybe it’s better left unshared.
And if you’re someone who is struggling right now, know this.. your worth is not defined by how easy or hard life is for you. You’re not behind, you’re not broken. You’re human, and you’re doing the best you can. That matters more than most people will ever say out loud.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
