Private Battles

Just because you see someone all smiley, posting perfect pictures does not mean all is good. After all, social media has pushed us to do what we know best, mask.

We always have to be perfect and dance to the tunes of joy. We have to fake it until we make it. We are in a race with others. Such an empty life, a draining one because no one is perfect. You don't have to prove yourself to people. 

The keyboard warriors that seemingly have it all figured out. The ones that have seemingly traveled the world. The meme lords that make our ribs crack. The celebrities who have made it. The guard in your apartment. The next-door neighbor. They all have private battles.

There is a celeb who battles emptiness and loneliness yet has to smile to the world.

A lady that miscarried her two-month pregnancy but has to grief in private. Some will not understand, to them, it, is just a fetus.

A woman who had hope of bearing children but was declared barren. She can't ask you to stop tagging her on the posts, 'utazaa lini'

A child fighting cerebral palsy and dyslexia but her story can't be shared because Judgy Judy will say, it is witchcraft in the family.

A man who has to face his family that he lost his job. Things will be different.

A man who has been given days to live yet he feels like he still has so much to accomplish.

The husband who goes through emotional and sometimes physical violence. How do they open up? To be seen as sissies. They fight the battles privately.

Behind the mask, are so many battles.

Battles that are draining, battles that destabilize people in all spheres of life.

Battles that can't be explained even if you fit in their shoe.

While sometimes you can't fight other people's battles you can make their journey simpler.

Stop asking women when they will give birth, and tagging them on posts without their consent or even knowing their story.

Stop thinking that celebrities have it all fixed. The pressure given by society is too much. They need genuine friends. Not friends of convenience.

Stop forcing women to stay in abusive marriages because yours worked out.

I beg, stop belittling men who go through any form of gender violence. Ain't they mortal?

And while at it stop thinking that your life is perfect and can now declare a verdict on people's lives. 

Stop making people inferior. Who told you your life is perfect, smooth sail, and something to write home about. Stop attacking people in the name of memes. Let people feel safe when they step out to the world. Living life is already a battle. Respect them when they do not call for help because they don't know how to. 

And finally, don't forget to face your battles truly because you can't run away forever. You might also be masking in the name of playing it tough and heartless.

The world will be a better place if we all removed our masks but then it is not always safe to do so. Meanwhile, let people fight their private battles without pressure. When ready, they will speak out. Even if they don't speak out we shall respect that.