Why friends don’t support your content is a question almost every creator asks at some point. You pour your heart into your work, but the people closest to you remain silent. Meanwhile, strangers who’ve never met you show more love and encouragement. Why does this happen, and how should we deal with it?
There’s something I’ve noticed, not just in my journey, but in the stories of countless creators and dreamers.
When we put our work out there, whether it’s content, design, writing, or simply a thought—the first silence we often encounter comes from the people closest to us.
They watch. They scroll. But they don’t say anything.
I remember once seeing a video on Instagram where a stranger said:
“Your own people see your content, they view your stories, they scroll past your posts… and yet they don’t say a word.”
That hit hard, because as a content creator, I’ve lived this reality.
When I started blogging, one of my closest friends told me:
“This doesn’t suit you. Why are you doing this?”
She’s still a good friend, but those words stayed with me.
My reply was simple:
“Maybe you don’t find peace in writing. But I do. Maybe you’ve read better writers, but there are people who connect with my words. And that’s enough for me.”
It’s strange, Isn’t it? The kindest words often come from strangers. People I’ve never met stumble upon my posts, feel something, and take the time to say it.
Meanwhile, many of the people I’ve shared life with remain silent. Some even criticize without realizing the weight of their words.
Once, someone I worked with for two years texted me out of the blue:
“Hello Naseema, I don’t like your work.”
Did it break me? No.
Did it sting? Yes.
But what hurt more was realizing it’s often easier for people to criticize than to uplift, even when they claim to care about you.
Recently, a friend told me:
“I see your posts regularly, and I do appreciate them!”
So I asked, “Then where’s the like? Where’s the comment?”
He laughed it off and said he was too busy to engage.
But too busy to click a heart? Too busy to type a kind word?
We scroll for hours through strangers’ content, but when it comes to supporting someone we know, we go quiet. And sometimes, that silence speaks the loudest.
Let’s be honest: appreciation costs nothing.
But for someone chasing a dream, putting their creativity out there, or daring to be vulnerable, it means everything.
Be the friend who cheers. Be the person who comments. Be the one who uplifts, not the one who hides in silence.
Because life doesn’t give us endless opportunities to support each other. When you get the chance, take it.
In the beginning, I craved validation. I wanted acknowledgment from the people I knew. Their silence made me question my worth.
But over time, I realized that creating should first bring me joy, not approval. And yet, even today, a kind DM, a thoughtful comment, or a simple “keep going” still lifts my spirits.
Because no matter how strong we become, appreciation always feels good.
If someone is putting their art, words, or ideas into the world and you matter in their life, don’t stay silent.
Say things like:
- “I loved what you wrote.”
- “This design is amazing.”
- “You’re doing great, keep going.”
Not because it’s expected, but because it’s kind. And kind people make a difference.
To anyone reading this, if you know someone chasing a dream, be their cheerleader. Your encouragement might seem small to you, but it could mean the world to them.
✨ If you’re a creator, I’d love to hear your story, how do you deal with silence from friends? Share it in the comments!
WHY FRIENDS DON’T SUPPORT YOUR CONTENT, BUT STRANGERS DO
Also Read – THE JOURNEY OF AN ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGNER : FROM STRUGGLES TO SUCCESS
Check out my book ‘THE TREE AND THE WIND’ on Kindle
Check out my book ‘ISHQ-E-SAFAR’ on Amazon
