Why it’s okay to feel behind when the world seems to be racing ahead
There’s this odd wave of emotions that hits when you’re scrolling through your feed and notice everyone around me getting engaged. One photo after another rings, proposals, coordinated outfits, and captions that sound like fairy tales. It’s not that you’re bitter. It’s just you’re not there. Not even close. And that hurts in a way you didn’t expect.
The Quiet Ache Behind the Smile
You show up to brunch with friends, and someone flashes a diamond. Everyone squeals. You smile, you hug, you cheer but something inside you tightens. Because while everyone around me is getting engaged, you’re still healing from something that broke you. A breakup. A betrayal. A bond that pledged eternity but failed to fulfill.
It’s not that you’re not pleased with them, you are. But it brings up what you’ve lost, or maybe what you never really had. That sting? It doesn’t make you petty. It makes you human.
Healing Doesn’t Come With a Deadline
Here’s the truth: there’s no expiration date for pain. No rulebook that says you must be over your past by now just because your friends are walking down the aisle. Healing is messy. It’s non linear. Some days you feel empowered, as if you have truly moved forward. Other days you feel like you’re still trapped in the past. And then, out of nowhere, a memory knocks the wind out of you.
When everyone around me is getting engaged, it’s easy to question your timeline. But your journey is yours. And it’s sacred no matter how slow it feels.
You’re Not Falling Behind
Society loves to measure success with timelines: engaged by 28, married by 30, kids by 32. But love isn’t a schedule, it’s a connection. And when you’re still healing, it’s better to wait for the right connection than force something just to fit in.
You’re not behind. You’re building a deeper relationship with yourself. That kind of love? It doesn’t always come with sparkly announcements, but it’s just as important.
So, while it might feel like everyone around me is getting engaged, remind yourself: don’t let comparison ruin the beauty of your journey. You’re not late. You’re aligning.
Finding Joy in Your Own Chapter
This season of healing won’t last forever. But while it’s here, there’s power in choosing yourself. Go on solo dates. Start a new project. Travel somewhere new. Rediscover what makes your heart light up without waiting for someone else to do it with you.
And the next time you see another engagement post, take a deep breath. Smile for them. Then smile for you, too. Because you’re not standing still you’re growing roots.
Even if it feels like everyone around me is getting engaged, trust that love will come to you again. But this time, you’ll be whole. And that changes everything.
Moving Forward With Grace
Healing while others celebrate milestones is hard but your story is not on pause. It’s progressing at its own speed and manner. One day, the chapter you’re writing now will be the reason your future love feels so deeply real. Keep going.
