"What If You’re Just a Side Character ?"

It Started With a Realization

I used to believe life had a storyline.

That one day, the music would swell, the spotlight would hit, and suddenly—I’d step into the role I was meant for.

I’d be the main character. The one people paid attention to. The one who mattered.

But then, I started noticing things.

I’d send long, thoughtful messages, only to get “lol” in response.

I’d make time for people who treated me like an afterthought.

I’d talk, and sometimes, it felt like no one was really listening.

It hit me like a slow burn—maybe I wasn’t the protagonist at all.

Maybe I was just… there.

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The Day It Fully Sank In

A few weeks ago, I was out with friends. The conversation moved fast, jumping from topic to topic, everyone slipping in jokes, stories, inside references.

I tried to join in.

No one responded.

A second later, someone else made the same joke—and suddenly, laughter filled the air.

I sat there, nodding along, swallowing the quiet thought in my head:

If I wasn’t here, would anything even change?

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What No One Tells You About Feeling Invisible

Here’s the brutal part: most people aren’t ignoring you on purpose.

They’re just too wrapped up in their own stories to notice yours.

Not because you’re unimportant. Not because you don’t matter.

But because everyone thinks they’re the main character.

And when everyone’s busy living inside their own heads, it’s easy to become just another extra in the background.

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So, What Do You Do?

For a while, I tried to force it.

I talked louder. Took up more space. Made sure people noticed me.

And sure, it worked—for a second. But the effort felt exhausting, like I was performing a role I wasn’t meant for.

Then, I tried something different.

Instead of fighting for the spotlight, I started focusing on the people who already saw me.

Instead of chasing conversations, I paid attention to the ones who listened without me trying.

Instead of proving I was important, I just… existed. And let the right people find me.

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What I Learned

You don’t have to be the loudest to matter.

You don’t have to be the center of attention to be important.

You just have to be real.

Some people will overlook you. Some won’t notice you’re there.

But the ones who do? The ones who see you witho

ut you having to scream for it?

They’re the ones who matter.

And that’s enough.

In poetry we say

“On October 10, 2024, I sat outside my house,

plants brushing my knees, head hanging down.

My friends were ahead, and I felt so left behind

—just writing, studying, wondering if I

mattered.”

“That ache led me to Threads. I started sharing

my raw thoughts with ‘In English we say,

In poetry we say,’ biting my bottom lip unsure if

anyone would care.”

“Then you all connected—your replies made my

heart pound. One of you said, ‘Make a book!’

I was trembling but I did it.

Here’s the surprise: the books ALREADY OUT!

I kept it quiet, but it’s real—my first step to

meaning.”

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