In a world full of filters, presence is rare.

We live in an age where people express condolences via Instagram stories and think empathy comes with filters. Where influencers talk about authenticity under ring lights, while ghosting actual humans.

The art of showing up is dying. And if there’s one life skill worth saving from extinction, it’s this – show up. For people. For life. For moments that matter.

Showing up is the simplest, most powerful way to say: You matter.

Why It’s Hard, and Why It’s Worth It

Saying no is easy. Dropping a “Sorry, can’t make it” text? Easier. Clicking a heart emoji on someone’s crisis post? Easiest.

Showing up? That takes effort. It messes up your calendar, makes you skip Netflix, and sometimes drags you into uncomfortable spaces – hospitals, funerals, awkward weddings where you only know the just the bride (true story).

Yet, it’s the purest signal of care.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve done this – funerals, weddings, hospital visits, late-night emergencies. I’ve shown up so often, I could probably list “Professional Presence Provider” on my LinkedIn. And no, it’s not always convenient. Next month, I’m trekking into the Western Ghats during peak monsoon because a 14-year-old wanted to go. Monsoon equals leeches. I hate leeches. Easier option? Say no. But I’m going. Because empathy is a muscle you build by being there – not by forwarding motivational reels. If there is one thing I want the kiddo to take away from that trip, it would be this. 

Maybe I learnt this from Sr. Nanu, who at 86 still shows up. 

Why Social Media Isn’t the Answer

We’ve confused visibility with presence.
A heartfelt caption isn’t the same as holding someone’s hand in an ICU.
Posting a sunset selfie with “#Gratitude” doesn’t make you dependable.

Influencers don’t change lives. People who show up do. If you really want to “influence,” try turning up at a friend’s door during their worst day – not dropping a “stay strong” in the comments.

Influence isn’t about followers. It’s about footprints.

Imagine If People Didn’t Show Up

History would be a meme if people stayed home – Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Florence Nightingale. (I can write a whole new post about this alone).

Entire revolutions, breakthroughs, and lifelines happened because someone physically showed up when it was inconvenient. Not because they posted about it.

Why I Do It (Even When It’s Hard)

Maybe that’s why I crawl into basements at midnight to rescue snakes when I’d rather stay home. Because saying no is easy, most people do. Do you think I like skipping meals or work meetings for a rescue? Absolutely not. Life rarely rewards convenience. The world doesn’t need more viral videos. It needs more people who’ll drop everything to be there, whether it’s for a friend, a stranger, or a snake.

What if your food delivery guy didn’t show up? You’d write a 1,000-word rant on Zomato. Imagine we did that every time someone didn’t show up.

The Bigger Truth

Showing up isn’t just about others. It changes you. It makes you resilient, empathetic, human. You can’t develop those by scrolling on Social Media.

So next time life asks you to be there, don’t double-tap your way out of guilt. Show up. With your awkward, sweaty, probably-leech-bitten self. Because presence > hashtags. Every. Single. Time.