Episode 30: The Cost of Pretending — Financial Ruin Behind a Perfect Life
Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind
Date: 18 July 2025
🕶️ “Everyone thinks I’m doing great. I can’t let them know I’m drowning.”
Vikrant had it all — or so it seemed.
A shiny new car on EMI.
A duplex flat in a posh society.
Smart clothes, an iPhone upgrade every year, weekends at cafes, and selfies that screamed, “I’m successful.”
But behind the carefully curated life lay:
- 3 credit cards maxed out
- A personal loan with mounting interest
- EMI defaults hidden from his family
- Sleepless nights and anxiety attacks
Vikrant wasn’t living. He was performing.
And the audience? Friends, family, and strangers who wouldn’t care if he fell — but whose judgment he feared more than bankruptcy.
💳 The Mask of Success
In our image-driven world, “looking successful” has overtaken the need to be financially healthy.
Why?
- Because appearances get approval
- Because society rewards lifestyle, not discipline
- Because we fear looking “less” — even if it costs us everything
But every mask comes at a cost.
Pretending to be rich when you’re not is a debt paid in silence, stress, and shattered self-esteem.
🧠 Why Pretending is Emotionally Dangerous
1. It delays seeking help
You can’t fix what you’re too ashamed to admit.
2. It leads to secret spirals
To maintain appearances, people take on more debt — deepening the trap.
3. It isolates you
You can’t open up. You can’t confess. You can’t be honest — even with yourself.
4. It erodes self-worth
The more you fake it, the less authentic you feel — until even you don’t know who you are.
💡 Breaking the Habit of Financial Pretending
✅ 1. Audit your expenses — not your image
Ask: “What am I paying for that serves only my ego?”
Cancel subscriptions, delay upgrades, simplify your lifestyle.
It’s not regression — it’s rescue.
✅ 2. Confide in one safe person
A friend, mentor, sibling — someone who sees you, not your car or clothes.
Let one soul in. That’s enough to start breathing again.
✅ 3. Own your truth
When someone asks, “Why haven’t you upgraded your phone?” — say:
“Because I chose to pay off my debt instead.”
Watch how many will silently wish they had your courage.
✅ 4. Stop competing with curated lives
Social media is a showroom, not a reality.
You’re comparing your struggles to someone’s highlight reel.
✅ 5. Seek professional help early
A financial advisor can help you create a real recovery plan.
You don’t need to be rich to ask for guidance — just honest.
🌱 Vikrant’s Turning Point
When Vikrant’s car was repossessed, he hit rock bottom.
He broke down in front of his wife and confessed everything. She didn’t yell. She wept.
But not in anger — in relief.
Because she, too, had been suffocating in the performance.
They sold the flat, moved to a modest rental, cut credit cards, and began rebuilding — this time, without pretending.
Today, Vikrant rides a second-hand scooter, but walks with a lighter heart.
💬 If You’re Exhausted from Acting Like You’re Fine…
Please remember:
You don’t owe anyone a perfect life.
You don’t need to impress those who won’t help you when you fall.
Authenticity is the first step toward freedom.
And freedom is worth far more than a borrowed image of success.
Episode 31: Financial Trauma from Childhood — When Old Scarcity Shapes Adult Struggles
In the next episode, we explore how childhood experiences of poverty, instability, or shame shape the way we think, fear, and spend money in adulthood — often without realizing it.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This blog series is intended for informational, motivational, and emotional support purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, legal, or mental health advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing overwhelming financial stress, mental health issues, or suicidal thoughts, please seek help from a certified financial advisor, counselor, or licensed therapist. If you are in immediate danger or crisis, contact a mental health helpline or emergency service in your area.
The stories presented here are inspired by real experiences but may be anonymized or adapted for narrative clarity. Readers are encouraged to make decisions based on their unique circumstances and to consult appropriate professionals. The author and publisher disclaim any responsibility for actions taken based on this content.
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