By Ariyana Sirinanda 

In today’s image-conscious world, authenticity often battles with perception. Whether it's dressing down on purpose to appear generically stylish or showing interest in a trend only once it's gained social approval, modern teens are navigating a culture where appearing nonchalant matters more than openly caring.

While young people today have more freedom than ever to explore their passions, many still feel the pressure to suppress what they truly enjoy in favour of fitting in. Especially in digital spaces, where judgment is just a comment away and the idea of being too ‘into something’ can sometimes come off as embarrassing. 

To better understand how this social pressure plays out in real life, here are some thoughts from teens who have learned to navigate it in their own way.
“Back when I first joined my school in 2021, I was a big K-pop fan,” said Onithi Jayathilake. “I thought everyone would also like K-pop because everyone in my old school did. But everyone in my grade said it was bad and cringeworthy. That made me slowly start to hate it, or at least hide it. I tried distancing myself from it to seem ‘cooler.’ But I love K-pop so much and now I don’t care what people say - it makes me happy, and I’m proud to be part of the fandom again.”

“I don’t often bring up my interest in collecting shoes unless someone specifically asks about it,” shared Sanuthi Chandrakumar. “In the past, I’ve received comments that were either overtly critical or subtly backhanded, often labelling me as spoiled, which has made me cautious about how I share this part of myself. I’m aware of the privilege that allows me to pursue this hobby, and I’m grateful, but I also worry about being perceived as out-of-touch or materialistic. I still love collecting, but I don’t usually talk about it unless someone brings it up.”

“When I moved to Colombo, I hoped to finally dress how I wanted to, but instead, I got stares and rude comments,” said a student. “It made me want to hide my style and blend in just to avoid the negativity. But now, I’m looking forward to a time when I can be myself without fear or judgment, and wear what truly makes me happy, as I can already see visible changes in people’s attitudes.”

For many teens, the pressure to appear unfazed, effortlessly cool, or subtly interested has created an environment where expressing genuine enthusiasm feels risky. Whether it’s the fear of being judged, laughed at, or simply not fitting in, many end up downplaying their passions in favour of what feels socially safer. As an anime fan myself, I used to hesitate to share my interest with others. But now, with anime’s growing popularity in Sri Lanka, I feel more comfortable openly asking if others share the same passion, without the fear of being judged.

In the end, these perspectives reveal something simple but powerful: that the things that make us passionate are the things that make us real. And in a society increasingly curated for appearances, choosing to show what you love, even if it’s not stereotypically ‘cool’, is quietly revolutionary.