You have to keep in mind that people tend to only highlight their gains on social media, rather than their losses. If it's any consolation, most people, especially acquaintances from school, are going to hide the negative aspects of their lives from public view.
Glossy polaroids of sorority parties may be hiding some sinister insecurities or random life turmoil brewing in the background, so even our idols may not truly have the glamorous lifestyles they portray in their posts and photographs. I can't help but think though, that even if things aren't perfect, their lives are still far better than mine and I would much prefer to be ensconced in those dreamy distractions than have no memories I can reflect upon fondly.
I can really relate to that deep seated feeling of envy when you're forced to watch other people having the time of their lives, while you're deprived of those pivotal moments that you crave. You're not alone in this. There are so many people whom I wish I could swap places with, if even for a day, just so I could understand how it feels to be an average uni student with a normal life.
There was an online friend I used to have- originating from an autism chat room- who I really admired. To this day, I'm still pretty jealous of the life she's built for herself. She grew up in the suburbs of an american city and lived the classic high school life you saw in movies, doing sports after school and going to prom and hanging out with friends.
Despite having the same weirdcore terminally online sense of humor as me, she's quite extroverted and is a magnet for other cool, esoteric, interesting people. She excels in her studies to the point where her degree is paid for by a scholarship fund, parties almost daily, and gets to live in a spacious house with all her best friends. That's the sort of life I'd kill for.
Almost everyday I feel such a horrible despair knowing that I've lost my youth to bad circumstances, disease, abuse, and simply spawning in an unfavorable location to family who were deeply ashamed that I was a weirdo and a freak.
