A friend told me she was struggling financially and hadn’t been able to afford proper meals for days. I wanted to help, so I offered to bring her some homemade food after work.
Before leaving, I opened Instagram—and froze. Her latest post showed her smiling at a restaurant table filled with fancy dishes, surrounded by friends. I felt confused and hesitant. Was I misunderstanding something?
Instead of assuming, I called her. She admitted the truth right away. She was embarrassed about her situation and posted the photo so no one would know she was struggling. It wasn’t even her meal—someone else had paid.
That moment reminded me how misleading social media can be. What we see online often hides what’s really going on.
I still brought her the food, and we talked honestly for a long time. That day taught me something important: real support isn’t about appearances—it’s about compassion.
Sometimes the best help isn’t judgment or assumptions, but simply listening and showing up.
