Hey friends 💬✨ If you're reading this, maybe you've felt that weird tension too — trying to fit in at uni, saying "yes" when you wanted to say "no," or feeling low after a hangout that was supposed to be fun.

Been there. Deeply. Let's talk about it 💛

What Even Is Social Pressure?

To me, social pressure at university felt like this invisible voice saying:

"Go to that party or you'll miss out."

"Speak up or people will forget you."

"Dress like them. Talk like them. Act like them."

It's exhausting 😮‍💨 and honestly, it took me a while to realize I didn't have to play by those rules.

I Was Saying "Yes" Too Much

At first, I joined every group chat, every club, said yes to every dinner invite—even when I was totally wiped out.

I thought being constantly around people would make me feel connected. But instead, I felt lonelier.

That's when I learned: more social time ≠ better social life.

Alone Time Is Not a Crime

This was a big shift for me: learning that it's okay to say no without guilt.

I started setting small boundaries:

🕒 I left group chats that stressed me out.

🛋️ I gave myself "no-plans" weekends to just chill.

🎧 I took long solo walks with music—my version of therapy.

Guess what? I didn't lose friends. I actually found better ones.

Small Talk? Let's Be Real

One thing that gave me a ton of anxiety was small talk at events. I'd go blank.

So I started practicing one thing: being real.

Instead of trying to sound cool, I just shared what I actually felt.

Example: "Honestly, I'm not great at big groups. But I love one-on-one convos."

People respect honesty. It's magnetic ✨

Who You Hang With Matters?

I noticed a pattern: when I hung out with people who constantly compared grades, clothes, or clout, I felt drained.

So I slowly shifted my circle to include people who made me feel seen, not judged.

Even if that meant fewer friends, it felt way better 💛

Repeat After Me: You're Enough

The biggest mindset shift? Realizing I don't need to be "on" all the time to be liked.

You're not boring because you skip an event. You're not rude for needing space.

You're just human—and humans need rest, boundaries, and people who respect both.

So, Lykkers 💬 Have you ever felt pressured to be more social than you actually want to be? How did you deal with it—or are you still figuring it out like I was?

Share your thoughts below 💌 Let's remind each other that saying "no" is powerful, and being yourself is more than enough. We're in this together 🫶