Hello everyone, you deserve to thrive, not just survive: A letter for the youth who feel left behind
This article is an emotional, soul-deep letter to young adults who feel invisible, forgotten, or “average.” Through storytelling, data, and soulful prompts, it offers healing guidance, explores what thriving means after trauma, and reminds every unseen dreamer they’re still worthy of abundance and purpose. It’s time to write your new chapter—with peace, alignment, and self-kindness.
First Published on 10/09/2008 00:32
Revised edition- published on 11/07/2025 13:34
Who are “The Invisible Ones” in our Society today?
How often have you felt invisible—like your worth is being quietly dismissed because you’re not “top of the class,” not trending, not the star influencer? We live in a world obsessed with extremes: valedictorians headline graduations; viral stars command attention. But what about the student who gets B’s? The adult juggling part-time work and a daydream? The soul whose dreams were dismissed as impractical?
These are the “invisible ones.” Those of us who tick average boxes, whose achievements don’t make headlines, whose quiet kindness doesn't get hashtags. They feel forgotten, stuck in a world obsessed with spotlight success.
A real story: I remember Arjun—smart, passionate, but not class topper. He worked two jobs to support his family, going to bed exhausted but proud of being reliable. He never made the honours list. Social media didn’t celebrate him. Yet he was the one who showed up—always. Invisible to the world, but in his heart, he carried big dreams. If you resonate with Arjun, know this: your invisibility isn’t a flaw. It’s a hidden badge of resilience.
What Happens When You Feel Like You’re Always in the background?
Feeling ignored or overlooked chips away at your spirit. You wonder: “Am I enough?” This isn't just emotional—it shows up in your mental health.
š Data Insight: According to a 2024 study by the WHO, nearly 1 in 5 young adults (aged 18–29) report moderate to severe anxiety, often linked to feeling undervalued or invisible in society.
But it doesn’t end there. Persistent feelings of invisibility foster:
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Low self-esteem: You internalise messages of “not enough.”
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Social withdrawal: If you feel unseen, you might stop seeking visibility.
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Emotional avoidance: You hide your true feelings, fearing they’ll go unnoticed—or worse, be ridiculed.
Case in point: A couple I counselled described daily life like this: waking up, scrolling through social media, and seeing perfect lives while they felt stuck. Despite being kind, talented, caring people, they convinced themselves they didn’t matter. Sound familiar?
The emotional toll is real, and the truth is: you deserve better. If any of this strikes a chord — you are not alone in feeling this way. And most importantly — that doesn’t define your future.
Is being “Average” painful?
From an early age, we’re taught to believe two things matter above all: talent and visibility. Be the best singer. Win the best marks. Go viral. So if you don’t hit those marks, you feel less-than.
But here’s the unspoken truth: average is not a curse. It’s a powerful foundation. Thrive isn’t reserved for prodigies—it’s meant for every soul who chooses to show up.
Let’s bust the myth of exceptionalism:
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Society exaggerates extremes. We project rare success stories like they’re the norm.
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Quiet impact runs deep. Teachers, caregivers, friends—these unsung heroes change lives every day.
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Peace is underrated. You don’t need to be extraordinary to live a meaningful life.
Yet, despite that, there’s pain in the label of “mediocrity.”
How Do Labels Like “Struggling Young Adults” Affect Mental Health?
Words carry energy. If everyone labels you as “struggling,” you start to internalise struggle as your identity. Emotional science shows that self-perception influenced by external labels can increase depressive symptoms by up to 30%. That’s real data from youth mental health research in 2023.
If you hear “struggling” often, consider declaring it a season, not a life sentence. You’re not cursed or limited. You’re human—and deserving of patience and compassion.
Why Do We chase validation through Achievements?
Why does success feel like a must? Because we live in external validation society. We’re trained to believe:
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Good grades = worthy.
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Followers = importance.
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Promotions = success.
But validation from others is like a sugar rush: momentary. It may taste sweet, but it’s hollow.
Instead, shift your compass inward. Tune into small daily wins. Did you show up even on a bad day? You’re growing. Did you help a friend, even by listening? You’ve built community. These acts matter—even if no one applauds them.
How can you discover your worth beyond achievement?
Look in the mirror: there’s a soul there deserving of respect. Your inherent worth isn’t tied to accomplishments. It’s an unshakable foundation, like the roots of a banyan tree—unseen but strong.
A personal story: I spent years chasing validation: more certificates, more clients, more online attention. But there came a point where I lost myself in those objectives. I realised the world didn’t need more certificates—it needed me… whole, present, authentic. That’s when I learned the phrase: “Your worth is not performance-based.” It’s spiritual healing, feeling stuck in that pursuit, and finally stepping off the treadmill.
So how can you reconnect with this intrinsic worth?
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Stop the comparison game. Someone else’s journey is not yours.
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Spend 5 minutes daily in stillness. No screens. No goals. Just breathing.
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List your values—kindness, truth, loyalty. You live by them, not certificates.
Yes, it takes consistent practice. But each breath is a reminder: you’re more than your achievements—you are a soul in motion, deserving of grace.
What are soul markers: Peace, alignment, purpose?
“Soul markers” are subtle signs whispering that you’re aligned with your truth. They’re not flashy; they’re steady.
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Peace: You sleep well. You feel calm. Your heartbeat slows in your own presence.
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Alignment: Your actions resonate. Your values match your choices, day in and day out.
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Purpose: Even on bad days, you sense meaning. You don’t just exist—you’re co-creating with life.
Vidya was a young professional burnt out by corporate hustle. She swapped late-night Zoom calls for meditation mornings. She started journaling—a simple "Good morning, soul" entry. Within weeks, she regained energy and rediscovered joy in small things: a neighbour’s flower, morning chai, deep conversations. That was the beginning of her soul markers appearing.
These markers don’t happen overnight, but you’ll notice them when you create space—emotionally and spiritually—for healing and connection.
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Also read: To Those Who Feel Invisible: You Are Not
What Does Success Look Like After trauma?
What if the picture of success you’ve been chasing… needs updating? What if this season of survival has rewritten your definition of thriving?
For many young people healing from toxic patterns, success isn't about trophies or titles—it’s about resilience, self-trust, and emotional freedom. Think of it as trauma to soul thriving. Post-trauma success is measured by:
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Consistency over intensity: Showing up for yourself daily, even in small ways.
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Emotional literacy: Naming your feelings without flinching.
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Boundaries: Saying “no” without guilt and “yes” without fear.
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Grace-filled progress: Healing isn’t linear, but every step forward matters.
A youth I worked with, Megha, bound by academic trauma, decided success was waking up without dread, having one coffee in silence, journaling three lines of gratitude. Compared to her earlier “A+ in everything” mindset, this was revolution. She was healing, and that was her success.
š When you heal soul wounds, your success map changes. It becomes spiritual healing in action—quiet, personal, transformative.
How Can You Create Space for Your own Version of Healing?
Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s a sacred, personal landscape. Here’s how to cultivate your own:
1. Design Your Safe Space
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Find a corner—physical or energetic—where you feel protected. It might be a hammock, a pillow fort, or a simple desk with soothing lights.
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Outfit it with reminders: your journal, crystals (if you resonate), notes with empowering messages.
2. Daily micro-Rituals
Even five minutes counts. Examples:
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Morning check-in: “How do I feel?”
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Afternoon pause: tray of water and three deep breaths.
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Bedtime gratitude: note one thing that felt tender today.
These actions cultivate unseen emotions into gentle awareness rather than overwhelm.
3. Emotional Triage
Name what’s coming up: frustration, guilt, grief. It’s ok. List them without judgement. Then, offer yourself kindness: “I hear you. You’re safe.”
4. Build a Healing Archive
Begin a digital or physical folder—your Healing Archive—with entries like:
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“Today I felt X, and I responded with kindness.”
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“I learned that my body needed rest, so I honoured it.”
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Or launch a private blog folder, track your spiritual healing journey, insights, and progress.
šÆ As you create this sacred archive of self-compassion, you may discover that those who feel invisible are not alone in reclaiming their worth https://www.tusharmangl.com/2009/01/hmmm.html
What If You Could Start Over, Right now, With Kindness?
Imagine wiping the slate clean—with no judgement, no harsh whispers—and saying, “I choose tenderness.”
Use this journaling prompt:
“What if I could start over, right now, with kindness?”
Let’s unpack three dimensions:
A. Mental Freshness
By imagining this reset, you let go of past mistakes and mental loops. You’re giving permission to begin again—brave, not defeated.
B. Gentle Self-Lens
Consider how you treat friends: forgiving, encouraging, patient. Now, flip that lens inward. What if you treated yourself with that same compassion?
C. Actionable Kindness
Write down one small act of kindness—inward or outward—you can do today. Maybe it’s a forgiveness letter, a break from social media, or a slow walk under trees.
Every kind choice you make rewrites your inner story: from “I don’t belong” to “I deserve to belong.”
Why Should You Write a Letter to your Younger Self?
It might feel strange, emotional, or even scary—and that’s the point.
1. Reconnection with Lost Compassion
Your younger self carried heartbeats you forgot. Writing reconnects you—tears are welcome here.
2. Healing the Past
By writing, you re-parent yourself. You might write:
“Dear younger me, I’m sorry they told you you weren’t enough. I see you, I love you.”
3. A Witness to Your Own Growth
This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s evidence of how far you’ve come. You honor your healing journey by recognising its roots.
How do You Start Your “Healing Archive” Blog Folder?
“Begin anywhere” is easier said than done—especially when emotions feel tangled or raw. But this isn’t about perfection. It’s about sacred witness.
Step 1: Choose Your Medium
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A private Google Doc, a fascinating WordPress draft, or even handwritten pages in a journal box.
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Start with a title like Healing Archive or Soul Seasons. Make it yours.
List everything—even the shame or numbness. Emotions aren’t “too much” or “too little.” They’re your soul speaking.
“I’m here with you. This emotion is safe. You’re safe.”This is the predecessor to emotional connection—a breath that says, “You’re not alone.”
Every time you write, you’re sending a message: I’m listening. I validate. I’m here. That’s soul bonding.
Who told you your dreams Were Unrealistic?
Often, the loudest voices about our limitations aren’t external—they live in our minds, remnants of old messages:
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“You’re too sensitive — get a thicker skin.”
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“You’ll never get that job.”
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“Stop daydreaming; start earning.”
These echoes echo from parents, teachers, or past friends. They knock on your door—even when you’re asleep.
Emotional space to explore this:
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Memory retrieval: Recall the moment you first felt your dream labeled “unrealistic.”
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Feel it fully: Where did you feel it? Belly? Chest? Throat? Embrace the sensation.
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Question it: “Is that really true?” Usually—it’s just someone else’s fear.
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Reclaim your voice: State your dream with “I” instead of “should.”Example: “I want to be a healer,” instead of “I should become successful.”
This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s soul-truth emerging from the rubble. And trust me—the sky’s vast enough for your wildest hope.
If survival was your First Season, What Will Your Thriving Season Look Like?
Imagine holding a seed in your hand—the weather was harsh, the soil rocky. But that seed stayed alive underground. Now: sunlight hits. Water comes. Roots can stretch.
That’s your soul.
Your survival season might have included silent suffering, toxic bonds, shame, or emotional numbing. But thriving? That’s dewy mornings. Soft kindness. Authentic connections. Soul-level love.
Create this vision:
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Inward check: How does thriving feel? Light? Spacious? Connected?
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Outward image: Who are you with? What are you doing?
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Body connection: What does your body tell you when you picture this?
Hold that vision tenderly. Return to it when day-to-day feels gray. Your thriving season is already budding.
Why is emotional guidance for young people crucial today?
Today’s youth face a tsunami of invisible pressure:
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Constant performance demands—social, academic, professional.
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A culture of comparison vs validation.
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Rapid change that outpaces emotional maturity.
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Wounds from generational or relationship trauma.
These dynamics can fracture your emotional foundation—dissecting trust in yourself, making you survive rather than thrive.
Why soul-guidance matters now:
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Creates sanctuary amid chaos.
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Teaches self-compassion instead of perfection-chasing.
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Helps disentangle trauma bonds, allowing real soul-bonding.
So ask yourself: What does my heart need most today? The answer might be stillness, truth, empathy, or permission to feel again.
šAre you broken—or Just Buried? Understanding spiritual layers
Let’s get gentle and soulful here: you’re not broken. Perhaps you’re buried—under old narratives, survival instinct, shame, or fear.
Think of it like this:
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Broken suggests an irreparable fracture.
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Buried suggests something hidden under weight—but alive, breathing, waiting.
Spiritual layers you might identify with:
| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| Surface | Daily emotions—frustration, exhaustion, apathy. |
| Mid-layer | Protective instincts—people-pleasing, self-silencing, mask-wearing. |
| Core | Your pure essence: creativity, kindness, curiosity, soul-yearning, hope. |
Uncovering happens with compassion:
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Recognise that your protective layers once helped you survive.
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Write a letter to them: “Thank you for keeping me safe, but I need to rest now.”
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Gently begin peeling: “I feel tired.” “My body holds grief.” “I need comfort.”
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Breathe into what emerges.
This isn’t a single breakthrough—it’s a sacred excavation. Each day, you untap radiant life beneath behaviors that once served you. You’re not broken—you’re buried, and life is calling you to rise.
Next Steps
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✨ Begin your Healing Archive today. Not tomorrow. Today.
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š Write that letter to your younger self—on paper, in comments, or a private space.
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š Elevate your journey—buy and read Burn the Old by Tushar Mangl.
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š For deeper personalised guidance, book a consultation
What’s the conclusion of this soul letter?
You’ve walked with me through hidden echoes, soft pain, shifting definitions of success, and sacred pathways to healing. You discovered that:
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Being “invisible” doesn’t mean unworthy.
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Pain doesn’t define your ending—it seeds your beginning.
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Success now shows up as aligned action, emotional freedom, and soul-level love.
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You’re not broken—just buried under protective layers waiting to blossom.
This is your permission slip—to hold tender space for your emotions, to rewrite old stories, and to live a life grounded in soul alignment, not achievement jargon. You deserve not just to exist—but to dance, connect, feel deeply, and heal equal measures of joy.
So breathe. Allow yourself to claim this moment:
Your thriving season has begun.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are soul markers, and how can I identify them?
2. How do I start healing if I feel completely lost or overwhelmed?
Is journaling really effective for emotional and spiritual healing?
Why is guidance on toxic patterns and intimate love so important now?
How does the concept of being “buried” rather than “broken” change healing?
Where do people lose touch with spirit?
Here’s where the delicate spiritual connection often slips away:
1. When Emotional Pain Is Ignored
We’re taught to suppress grief, fear, anger—yet those emotions are the doorways to spirit. When grief is hidden, natural wonder dims. When fear is shamed, curiosity withers.
2. When Safety Is Lacking
Emotional safety is essential. If you can’t express yourself without judgement, your soul retreats. Spirit thrives in sanctuary—be it a sacred journal, a shielded space, or compassionate companionship.
3. When Relationships Are Soul-Poached
Codependent bonds may drain you. If someone leeches your energy, your spiritual connection dimly fades. Healing means prioritising soul-level love over emotional co-dependence.
4. When you neglect rituals and setbacks
Soul isn’t fuelled just by goals—it’s fed by rhythm: breath, quiet, gratitude, journaling. When you stop these, you disconnect. Reclaiming spirit means choosing small rituals—lighting a candle, whispering affirmations, or honoring nature.
A healing invitation: notice which area your connection slipped. Then ask:
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Which emotion have I been afraid to feel?
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Where do I feel unsafe?
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Which bond drains me?
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What ritual can I recommit to today?
Asking brings awareness. And awareness invites transformation.
Final Invitation:
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Write that letter—private or public—mending your past with compassion.
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Buy Burn the Old to deepen your journey.
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Book a personalised consultation to break illusions of love, reclaim spiritual layers, and elevate into soul-level connection.
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Subscribe to YouTube @TusharMangl and follow on Instagram @TusharMangl for more soul-nourishing insights.
š± You’re here. You matter. And this is your season to blossom.
Author
Tushar Mangl is a counsellor vastu expert, author of Burn the Old Map, I Will Do It, and Ardika. He writes on topics like food, books, personal finance, investments, mental health, vastu, and the art of living a balanced life. He seeks to create a greener, better society. Blogging at tusharmangl.com since 2006.
"I help unseen souls design lives, spaces, and relationships that heal and elevate—through ancient wisdom, energetic alignment, and grounded action."
Note: For more inspiring insights, subscribe to the YouTube Channel at Tushar Mangl or follow on Instagram at TusharMangl
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