Thanks for waiting. In case you missed the preview, find it here, so you know what to expect. If you are not sure what Beneath the Smile is about, please check the preview out.

The project aims at looking beyond the smiles of the next person, to see what’s really beneath, what’s really going on? How people really need help and won’t bother saying anything about it but would rather cover it up with a façade of strength, with a smile.
It’s time to look beneath the smile and lend a helping hand. People are going through real things, these are their stories.

We hope that you’d be kind enough to leave a comment. Your feedback is important to us.

Today’s story was sent in by one of our readers, who has asked to stay Anonymous.

This is her story.

Please Read.

The ‘Beneath the Smile’ Project.

Hi.

I’m one of those regular kids, not extremely rich, but very comfortable… I wasn’t abused as a kid, to the best of my knowledge and I remember getting every good thing I needed… Perfect life yeah?! I know… This story is not directly about the me you all know- the happy girl who’s always there for everybody and who doesn’t feel pain, it’s about the real me.

Since I could tell the difference between right and wrong, all I’ve ever wanted is to be accepted, to be wanted. I mean I have family members that love me and friends, they’ll do almost anything for me, but it has never been enough. I’ve looked for love in all the wrong places, gotten my heart-broken too many times. I’ve loved and I’ve lost, it has always been the same feeling of gross inadequacy, emptiness, void, loneliness … Like a hole in my heart… I’ve never been able to explain it but it’s there.

Nobody really knows these things, most people think I’m very shy or I’m ‘forming’ … because I put on a façade of happiness most times and frankly, it’s easier to say ‘I’m fine’ than to start explaining the reasons why I’m not.

I have very deep trust issues… I mean, I’ll rather keep it in my heart, than say it out, even for me to hear. So much, that I don’t trust the decisions I make. I’m indecisive most times because of that and opening up to people that love me has always been a very difficult task.

I should pray??? I tried that… I cried to God, nothing changed.

I’m usually the rock for my friends, the one that gives sound advice. But no one has ever paused to think that the ‘rock’ might need a someone too.

I’m all alone in this, I’ve always been… Maybe I’ll be fine someday, maybe I’ll understand what I truly need. But till then, all the feelings of gross inadequacy, the emptiness, the void,the loneliness, it’s all gonna be hidden beneath my perfect smile. 🙂

• • •

Don’t just read, say a prayer.

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

N.B. The project goes on with Tomorrow’s ’Her Story, XXIII’ by @ThisConnectd

You can still send in your own true stories to obafuntay@gmail.com

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