The text “Not Everyone Who Knows You Will Support You” by Naadira Chhipa delivers a deeply insightful reflection on human relationships, personal growth, and emotional maturity. It reminds us that support and encouragement don’t always come from the people we expect them to—our friends, family, or long-time acquaintances.
Instead, sometimes, true appreciation and genuine encouragement arise from strangers who see us for who we are without bias or comparison. At its core, this piece explains that silence from familiar people when we achieve something isn’t necessarily due to hatred or envy—it often comes from discomfort. When someone around us grows, evolves, or succeeds, it can force others to confront their own stagnation or insecurities. Growth in one person becomes a mirror that reflects another’s fears, limitations, or lack of progress. This creates emotional tension, making it hard for some to genuinely celebrate another’s success. Thus, as Naadira beautifully writes, “Your courage exposes their fears. Your authenticity highlights their masks.”
This statement is powerful because it highlights how personal authenticity can challenge the artificial layers people wear in society. When someone lives truthfully and confidently, it can make others who hide behind pretense feel exposed or uncomfortable. Hence, people may withdraw their support not because they dislike us, but because our truth reminds them of the masks they wear or the dreams they never pursued.
The passage also emphasizes that support doesn’t always come from familiarity. Sometimes, the people closest to us—those who grew up with us, shared meals, or were part of our everyday lives—might not be the ones to cheer us on. Instead, strangers, who see us without the lens of our past or their own insecurities, often become our truest supporters. They celebrate our success with genuine joy, unclouded by comparison. This realization helps free us from disappointment and helps us understand that emotional connection and encouragement are not bound by history but by sincerity.
Naadira encourages readers to let go of the expectation that certain people should support us. Expectations often lead to pain, especially when unmet. When we expect validation from specific individuals, we give them power over our happiness. By releasing these expectations, we allow ourselves to find joy in unexpected sources of support and to appreciate the genuine souls who clap for us without hesitation.
The author also offers a gentle reminder to focus on those who do support us, no matter how recently they entered our lives. Genuine connections are not measured by time but by intention. She advises us to build relationships with people who “clap without comparison,” grow with those who “celebrate without pretense,” and rise with those who “do not feel threatened by your truth.” These lines encapsulate the essence of healthy, uplifting relationships—where success isn’t a competition but a shared joy.
Ultimately, this piece teaches acceptance and emotional wisdom. It encourages gratitude for authentic support while acknowledging that not everyone will understand or celebrate our journey—and that’s perfectly okay. True growth lies in moving forward, surrounded by those who appreciate us not for who they think we should be, but for who we truly are.
- Rajeev Verma
RAJEEV VERMA 