Oh, we’re all just nodding along like it’s fine when, honestly, it’s kinda bananas. Modern life has gotten weird, and not in a cute, quirky way—more like, “Should we actually be worried?” way.
We’ve all quietly agreed to treat some truly out-there stuff as totally normal, just to keep the peace (and, let’s be real, our sanity). We pretend. We scroll. We sip our overpriced coffee while those little red flags wave around us, pretending that nothing’s off.
It’s the modern performance—everyone’s got their own act, and the audience is always online. If you’ve ever caught yourself staring into space thinking, “Is this real life?”—girl, you are so not alone. Here are 17 things we’re all low-key pretending are normal now… but deep down, we know they’re not. Like, at all.
1. Having Full Conversations Through Emojis and Gifs Only
It’s honestly wild how we went from writing entire love letters to sending a single crying-laughing face and calling it communication. Sometimes I’ll look at a message thread and realize not one actual word was typed—just a parade of yellow faces and random animals. My friend once responded to my emotional meltdown with three sparkly hearts and a sloth gif, and weirdly, I felt kinda seen.
We act like this is normal—like everyone just knows what a sassy side-eye gif means in context. But half the time, I’m over here deciphering emoji hieroglyphics like I’m in a digital escape room. We all pretend we’re pros, but I swear, one wrong emoji and you’re sending a totally different vibe.
Remember when “LOL” meant you might actually laugh? Now it’s all about who can drop the most creative reaction before the chat moves on. It’s fun, but also—what are words even for anymore?
2. Replying “LOL” When You’re Not Even Smiling
Ever caught yourself typing “LOL” while looking like Wednesday Addams on a Monday? I do it far too often. My group chat could be on fire, and I’m just blank-faced, firing off LMAOs like a robot on autopilot.
It’s become our go-to way to keep things light, even when nothing’s actually funny. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve just forgotten how to genuinely laugh at a text. There’s this pressure to react, to match the energy—so we send the digital equivalent of a polite chuckle and move on with our evening.
Honestly, it’s kind of sad. The “LOL” has lost all meaning. I miss the days when making someone laugh out loud was actually a goal, not a reflex. Now, it’s just another way we pretend everything’s fine, even when it’s not.
3. Being Constantly Available—Yet Emotionally Checked Out
There’s this weird expectation that we should answer texts, emails, DMs, and Slack messages like our lives depend on it. My phone pings at every hour, and somehow I’m supposed to be enthusiastic and insightful on command. But real talk: most days, I’m just existing in “reply” mode, not actually present.
Emotionally, I’m somewhere between “please don’t ask me anything deep” and “I need a nap from existing.” It’s like we’re all performing availability—showing up digitally, checked out mentally. The stuff we actually care about? Gets drowned out by constant notifications.
If you’ve ever stared at your phone, knowing you owe people feelings but just… can’t, you’re not alone. This isn’t connection. It’s modern emotional hide and seek, and it’s exhausting. When did being reachable turn into being emotionally invisible?
4. Calling Anything Under $100 “Basically Free”
Remember when spending $20 used to feel like a big deal? Now, thanks to influencer culture and wild inflation, anything under $100 is “basically free”—like you’re practically saving money by buying that $80 serum. My friend told me she got a “deal” on jeans for $75 and honestly? I nodded like that was totally reasonable.
I’ve caught myself rationalizing $14 shipping or a $7 oat milk latte like I’m making responsible life choices. It’s a mental trick: as long as it’s not triple digits, it’s fine. But let’s be real, those “little” purchases add up fast.
We joke about it, but deep down, there’s this weird guilt. We know money doesn’t grow on trees, but pretending it’s all “basically free” helps us cope with how pricey life has gotten. Retail therapy, but with math denial!
5. Saying “No Worries!” Even When There Were, In Fact, Several Worries
The number of times I’ve typed “no worries!” while very much having several—at least seven—worries is truly impressive. It’s the catch-all phrase for keeping things breezy, even if your brain is screaming on mute.
It’s like a social shield: you don’t want to seem high-maintenance, so you wave off your actual stress and play it cool. Sometimes I wish there was an honest auto-reply that said, “I have so many worries but I’m faking it for everyone’s sake.”
We all do it. It’s how we survive group projects, late replies, and flaky friends. “No worries!” is the modern “I’m fine,” but with extra sparkle. Maybe one day we’ll all just say how we actually feel, but until then, I’ll keep smiling and typing it while my brain does gymnastics.
6. Treating Burnout Like a Badge of Honor
If overworking were an Olympic sport, half my friends would have gold medals. Somehow, bragging about being exhausted has become the new humblebrag. “I only slept four hours!” is said like it’s a fun fact, not a cry for help.
I used to think being busy meant I was important. But honestly, it just means I’m running on caffeine and adrenaline, barely holding it together. We post about our chaos, like it’s something to be proud of—when really, it’s just a mess.
Burnout shouldn’t be the goal, but we treat it like a personality trait. There’s power in rest and saying “I’m done for today.” If you’re tired, you don’t need to apologize. Taking care of yourself isn’t lazy; it’s necessary. Let’s stop acting like being worn out is the only way to be “doing enough.”
7. Acting Like Scrolling Your Phone Until 2AM Is “Winding Down”
There’s something oddly comforting about lying in bed, mindlessly scrolling through TikToks and reels until your eyelids protest. I tell myself it’s “me time,” but then my screen time report shames me every Sunday. The birds start chirping and my brain is fried, yet somehow I think I’m winding down.
The reality? I’m just numbing out, distracting myself from that looming to-do list and the weird fear of missing out. It’s like collective insomnia with a built-in dopamine drip. My friends and I joke about our “nightly scroll,” but we know it’s not actually restful.
We pretend it’s self-care, but it’s more like digital avoidance. Sleep is precious, but apparently memes are even more so. I’ll try to put my phone down earlier—right after I check one more video. Just one more, I swear!
8. Casually Accepting That All Our Apps Are Spying On Us
You mention oat milk once, and suddenly every ad is about barista-grade blenders or vegan cafés. We all joke about our phones listening, but deep down, it’s unnerving. I’ll say something out loud, and three seconds later, Instagram is recommending matching mugs I never searched for.
It’s become this weird background noise in life. We don’t even flinch when our digital footprints start following us around the internet. “Haha, the algorithm knows me better than my mom!” we say, while quietly wondering if we should put tape over our webcams.
Honestly, none of this is normal. We just laugh it off because what else can we do? At this point, my phone knows more about my hopes, dreams, and skincare routine than my closest friends. Wild times, right?
9. Equating “Busy” With “Successful”
Every time someone asks how I am, my reflex is to say “busy!” like it’s a compliment. Our calendars are jammed, our inboxes never empty—somehow, that’s supposed to mean we’re winning at life. I used to feel embarrassed if I had a quiet weekend; now, it feels scandalous not to be double-booked.
But all that hustle? It’s not the same as being fulfilled. There’s this sneaky pressure to wear “busy” like a designer label. If you’re not frantic, are you even trying?
I wish we could normalize slow days, empty spaces, and unfinished lists. Real success doesn’t always look like chaos. Sometimes it’s just having time to breathe. If you’re busy all the time, maybe it’s worth asking: busy for what, and for whom?
10. Working From Bed and Calling It “Cozy Productivity”
Working from bed sounds like a dream until you realize your spine has actual complaints. I went from “I’ll just answer one email” to basically living in a tangle of sheets and chargers. My idea of productivity now involves pajama meetings and coffee stains on my pillowcase.
Some days, I feel like a genius for skipping the commute. Other days, I wonder if I’ll ever wear real pants again. The line between work and rest is a smudge, and I pretend that’s completely healthy.
It’s not all bad—I’m a fan of cozy. But at this point, my bed is my office, my dining table, and my existential crisis headquarters. Who needs an expensive desk chair when you have old comforters and questionable posture?
11. Pretending Social Media Likes Equal Real-Life Validation
The mini dopamine rush from a flood of Instagram likes feels great—until it doesn’t. I’ve posted brunch pics, outfit selfies, and vacation sunsets, chasing that tiny thrill when people double-tap. But after the buzz fades, I’m still left with me, my phone, and a sense of emptiness.
It’s easy to believe the numbers mean something real. The validation is instant, but it doesn’t actually fill the gaps. Sometimes it even makes them feel bigger.
We all act like it’s normal to tie self-worth to an algorithm, but it’s a hollow trade. Getting real validation—connection, support, honest compliments—takes way more effort, but it’s so much deeper. Social media likes are nice, but they’re not the answer. And that’s something I have to remind myself every single day.
12. Using “Self-Care” as a Reason to Avoid Everything
Don’t get me wrong—I love a sheet mask as much as anyone, but sometimes “self-care” turns into “avoid everything and hope it fixes itself.” I’ve chosen bubble baths over confronting awkward emails more times than I can count. My “to-do” list is basically a graveyard for tasks I’ve buried under lavender-scented escape.
It’s easy to justify: “I’m taking care of myself!” But if your version of self-care is hiding from life, maybe it’s not the healing moment you think it is. I’ll spend hours pampering my skin and exactly zero minutes on that one call I’m dreading.
Self-care is important, but so is dealing with the stuff that stresses us out. There’s a difference between recharging and running away. Sometimes the best care is facing things, even if you do it with a face mask on.
13. Treating Group Chats as Life Support Systems
If my group chat ever got leaked, I’d have to leave the country. Those chats are sacred—pure chaos, memes galore, emotional support, and way too many unread messages. I might vanish from texting for days, but as soon as my friends start spiraling, everyone jumps in with gifs and questionable advice.
We act like it’s totally normal to rely on virtual group hugs to get through actual crises. Sometimes I wonder if we’d survive without the daily check-ins and random pictures of people’s dinners.
But honestly? Group chats are a lifeline. The energy, the honesty, the absolute nonsense—it’s all part of what keeps us going. Sure, it’s messy and overwhelming, but it’s also comfort in the chaos. Just don’t ask me to catch up on all 287 messages, okay?
14. Needing a Full Week to Recover From One Social Event
I swear, one dinner party and I need to be placed in emotional quarantine for a week. My friends think I’m being dramatic, but after three hours of being “on,” my social battery is flatter than my hair on a humid day. I love people, but wow, do they wear me out.
We all quietly act like this is just how it is. Canceling plans is now self-care, and recovery time is non-negotiable. Who decided that being social should be an extreme sport?
It’s okay to need a break. I’ll be hiding under my blanket fort, eating snacks, and letting my brain reboot. If you text me, expect a delayed reply—I’m busy restoring my chill. Social events are great, but so is alone time. No shame in needing both.
15. Trying to “Optimize” Every Second of Your Life
Productivity culture has us convinced we should be squeezing juice out of every minute. I used to walk for fresh air—now, if I’m not learning a language, meal-prepping, and listening to a finance podcast all at once, I feel like a slacker. Even rest is something to maximize.
We’re told we can hack our lives into perfection with enough apps and color-coded calendars. It’s like we turned our brains into little start-ups, always trying to be “on.”
Honestly, it’s exhausting. Not everything needs to be optimized. Sometimes it’s okay to just exist, breathe, and, you know, stare at the ceiling. You’re not a machine. Perfection isn’t the goal—being alive is. Take it from someone who’s tried to organize her way to happiness and ended up alphabetizing her snack drawer instead.
16. Smiling and Saying “I’m good!” When You’re Actually One Inconvenience Away From a Full Meltdown
If I had a dollar for every time I said, “I’m good!” while internally panicking, I’d be on a beach right now. We’re so conditioned to keep it together, to smile through the chaos and never let anyone see the cracks. Someone asks how we are, and without missing a beat, it’s, “I’m fine!”
Meanwhile, my brain is running scenarios, my coffee is cold, and one more minor disaster might just send me over the edge. But vulnerability? In public? That’s a no from me.
The pressure to hold it all together is real. I get it—it’s easier to fake chill than risk being “too much.” But sometimes I wish we’d just admit when we’re crumbling. Maybe we’d realize we’re all barely holding it together. And that’s okay.
17. Quietly Comparing Your Entire Life to Someone Else’s Highlight Reel
Scrolling through someone’s engagement photos while eating cereal for dinner? Been there. It’s so easy to slip into comparing your real life—messy, unpredictable, totally human—to someone else’s curated perfection. That highlight reel is addictive, even though it’s not the whole story.
One day, I’m proud of my new socks; the next, I’m questioning all my choices because a stranger bought a house at 25. Social media is a master class in selective sharing. None of us really has it together as much as we pretend.
The truth is, we rarely see anyone’s struggles, just their wins. If your life feels less shiny sometimes, remember: it’s not a contest. We’re all just figuring it out—one imperfect, messy day at a time. Everyone’s journey is different, and that’s actually kind of beautiful.