Youth and fake life
By Temwa Mhone
The other understanding and interpretation that people derive from a Canadian-American motivational speaker, Brian Tracy’s, quote: “Fake it until you make it,” has caused most to struggle in leading lives they cannot sustain.
Tracy’s line of thought is to act as if you had all the confidence, you require until it becomes your reality. It is about skills you do not yet have, which will eventually lead to actual competence.
However, you happen to scroll through Facebook, Instagram or TikTok feeds and feel sad, drained as you see your friends Aisha and Gregory (not real names) in hotel lobbies, fancy restaurants and in expensive cars in town.
They personify the majority of youth caught up in a loop to portray an impression of being rich or glowing in luxury. Yet, they are just pretending to be wealthy — they may make it later in life, but for now, what they float on social media is a fake lifestyle.
This situation is the American author Austin Kleon’s interpretation of ‘fake it until you make it,’ which reads: ‘Pretend to be you are something you are not until you are — fake it until you are successful, until everybody sees you the way you want them to.’
Aisha is a third-year student at the University of Malawi in Zomba, coming from a financially constrained household in Mondiwa Village, Chiradzulu.
Her parents are struggling to make ends meet at home, let alone to support her education and accommodation in the Chikanda Area. Aisha’s conditions have made her eligible for tuition and upkeep loans for her studies from the state-owned Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board since her first year.
The pompous girl says she cannot appear like her problems, a mantra that has led to a life of pretense, especially on her social media pages.
Youths should avoid fake life (Photo Credit: Internet)
From excessive use of photo editing applications, which modify her looks and body shapes, such as smooth skin, flat tummy and whitened teeth, these appearances need money in real life, which she cannot afford looking at her situation.
Aisha is always keeping up with her peers from wealthy families who are really successful in life and excited.
One thing that exposes Aisha’s fake lifestyle is her silence on social media platforms during school holidays: She does not do TikTok videos while at home for the shame or fear of her real struggling home status.
Gregory is pressured to exaggerate the presentation of his life, particularly on social media, where he posts pictures flexing in borrowed cars, even fake jewelry or designer clothes.
This second-year student at Malawi University of Science and Technology in Thyolo tries hard to portray wealth status with enthusiastic captions like he is making it big in life, but has no evidence or accomplishment to really live the image he portrays to the public.
Mind you, do not be depressed by social media posts of your age mates showing that they are winning. Most of them are faking it. You have to work and focus on what matters, such as school, work or business, to make real money and be happy. Those who are really making it in life do not need to prove anything to the world.