“Do you really love him? Or do you love the idea of him being ‘approved’ by everyone?”

That question landed like a quiet thunder in Leena’s heart. She had been engaged for two months, to a man her parents adored, her friends liked, and her Instagram followers seemed to root for. And yet… every night, a silence tugged at her — a hollow feeling she couldn’t explain.

She didn’t hate him. But she didn’t feel fully herself around him either.

🌪 The Invisible Strings

Social pressure doesn’t always come with force. Often, it comes wrapped in warmth — “He’s such a good catch!”, “Your families match perfectly”, “You’re lucky, many girls would kill for this.”

We hear this and think it’s love.

But sometimes, it’s performance. A role you’re expected to play to avoid disappointing others.

It can come from:

Family expectations Cultural norms Community gossip Social media comparison Religious ideals Age-related panic (“You’re 30, you should settle.”)

🗣️ A Deep Conversation

Luma: “What if I told you I’m not in love with him, just in love with not being questioned anymore?”

Noor: “Then you’re in love with relief, not the person.”

Luma: “Exactly. And I’ve confused the two for months now. My mom sleeps better. My friends say I’m glowing. But I feel like I’m disappearing.”

Noor: “You’re not being selfish if you want your own voice in your story.”

Luma: “But it’s so loud out there. And so quiet in here…” [touches chest]

Noor: “Then it’s time you stop listening to their noise and start listening to your silence.”

🤳 Relationship by Audience Approval

Modern relationships have become filtered. We see reels, rings, and “relationship goals” before we ever feel raw, honest connection.

We stay because:

“It looks good on paper.” “Everyone likes him/her.” “Breaking up now would look bad.” “My family sacrificed so much.” “I don’t want to start over.”

But here’s the truth:

You’re the one who lives with the decision, not the crowd.

🧭 Real Love is Not a Group Vote

Love that lasts is not chosen by a committee. The right partner doesn’t just “make sense” — they make you feel safe to be fully you. It’s okay to disappoint others to stay aligned with your truth. It’s okay to start over, even if you’re halfway down the aisle.

💬 Ask Yourself:

If no one knew about this relationship, would I still stay? Am I afraid of being alone — or afraid of being disapproved? Have I ever truly been asked what I want — or only told what’s “right” for me?

🕊 You Are Allowed

You are allowed to:

Change your mind Pause the engagement Choose peace over pressure Walk away from what looks right but feels wrong

The people who truly care won’t be hurt by your truth — they’ll be proud of your courage.

📍 Final Thought

Love is not a stage. You don’t need an audience to validate your role. When the noise fades, and the applause dies down — who do you want to be left with? If the answer isn’t “myself, at peace”… then maybe it’s time to rewrite the script.