Behind The Fake Smiles

Eccedentesiast: Someone who hides behind a smile, when all they want to do is hide and/or die

Smiling is considered the universal factor for happiness. Does this look like a genuine smile?

It’s been reported that fake smiling tricks your brain into thinking you’re happy, which in turn releases happy chemicals in the brain, which helps combat depression.  Is that all it takes though? A little uptake of the lips? In a world focused on most things superficial, I think it’s safe to say that there’s too much fake and not enough genuineness and authenticity. Many are hiding behind idealized social media profiles where they only share the positives, the successes and rarely do we get to see the trials and challenges. We portray the life we want to live and even who we wish we were. We know that life is messy but even that isn’t enough for us to feel comfortable enough to disclose our struggles.  We are living in an era where posting a cup of tea on ‘The Gram’ is not easy. The said cup has to have character too. Not just your ordinary pick and pay cup. Serious staging is also required. It must be surrounded by flowers, white sheets and a MacBook. Merc keys are a plus too. But let’s be real. The carefully curated social media feeds we all manage are not representatives of our entire reality. 

It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to admit that times have been rough. That you’re weary and beat up from the weight of the burden. That you don’t have everything together. That despite the fake smile, you are breaking apart inside. It’s okay to be honest. When we are dishonest with ourselves, when we fail to acknowledge and accept our current circumstances. As a result, our relationships with others lose authenticity. These connections can only go so deep and so far when we are unwilling to bring our real selves, our true feelings, the good and the bad, the triumphs and the trials, to the table.  

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It’s easier to say “I’m fine” as it diverts the attention away from ourselves. You don’t have to spout your feelings to everyone who asks how you are doing. But the next time a friend genuinely asks how you are, make an attempt to be honest and real. Who knows? They might be able to identify with your struggles. They could end up being a source of encouragement and provide a listening ear. Let’s try to be there for each other, encourage one another, pray for each other. We all know how rough and relentless life can be, but it is definitely much more bearable if we don’t walk this journey alone.  

So, dear eccedentesiasts, can we take the masks off? Can we step down from the stage we’re acting on? We are so much more than a part to play. So much more. Remember...

A fake smile may fool the crowd. 

But it never eases the pain…