You Don't Have to Be Perfect

Story 7 of 12

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Highlighted words are key vocabulary — tap one to see its translation. Colors show the part of speech:

Verb Adjective Adverb Expression

Emma: Liam, can I ask you something? Do you ever look at Instagram and just feel... not good enough?

Liam: Honestly? All the time. Why, what's going on?

Emma: Everyone in my class looks so perfect online. Perfect grades, perfect vacations, perfect everything.

Liam: Emma, nobody's life is as perfect as it looks in photos. You know that, right?

Emma: I know that, logically. But it doesn't stop me from comparing myself to them.

Liam: Have you thought about just taking a break from it for a while?

Emma: Maybe. I guess I should stop scrolling every time I feel bored or sad.

Liam: That might actually help. My sister deleted the app for a month last year.

Emma: Really? What happened?

Liam: She said she felt so much happier. Turns out comparing yourself to strangers all day isn't great for anyone.

Emma: That makes sense. I just feel like I'm missing out if I'm not on it.

Liam: You're not missing much, trust me. Real life is way more interesting than a feed.

Emma: Okay, I'll try it. One week without checking, starting tomorrow.

Liam: I'm proud of you for even trying. Call me if you get bored, we'll do something fun.

Emma: Deal. Thanks for listening, Liam.

Vocabulary from this story

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good enough
yetarli, munosib
perfect
mukammal
logically
mantiqan
comparing
taqqoslamoq
break
tanaffus
bored
zerikkan
deleted
oʻchirib tashladi
Turns out
maʼlum boʻlishicha
makes sense
mantiqqa toʻgʻri keladi
missing out
qoldirib ketmoq (imkoniyatni)
interesting
qiziqarli
proud
faxrlanadigan

Grammar from this story

Key patterns that appeared in the text.

as + adjective + as

...dek, ...kabi (ikki narsani solishtirish uchun ishlatiladi).

  • Nobody's life is as perfect as it looks in photos.
  • This test wasn't as hard as I expected.

stop + -ing

...ishni toʻxtatmoq (davom etayotgan harakatni toʻxtatishni bildiradi).

  • I should stop scrolling when I feel bored.
  • Stop worrying about it.

Check your understanding

Read the story, then choose the best answer. Tap a choice to check it.

1. Why does Emma feel bad when she looks at Instagram?

2. What did Liam's sister do, and what happened?

3. What is the main idea of the dialogue?