The Weight of Expectation.
All my life, I’ve carried the weight of other people’s expectations. Every choice I made, every step I took, was guided by what others wanted, by what they thought was best for me. Family, society, culture — their voices were always louder than my own.
I followed the path laid out for me. I chose the ‘right’ career, the ‘right’ hobbies, the ‘right’ friends. I did what was expected, not what I truly wanted. Each decision felt like it was made for someone else, a version of me shaped by everyone around me.
The weight of these expectations grew heavier with time. I felt the pressure to succeed, to be perfect, to never disappoint. I wore masks to fit in, to be accepted. I smiled when I was supposed to, even when I felt like crying inside. I said “yes” when I wanted to say “no.”
I lived for their approval, for the nods of acceptance and the pats on the back. But with each nod, with each pat, a part of me faded away. The person I truly was, the person I wanted to be, got lost in the noise of other people’s voices.
There were moments, quiet moments, when I questioned it all. In the silence of the night, I wondered who I would be if I stripped away all the expectations. If I could start over, free from the weight of others’ opinions, what choices would I make? What dreams would I chase?
But the fear of disappointing them kept me in line. The fear of standing out, of being different, of being true to myself, was overwhelming. It was easier to conform, to blend in, to follow the script written by others.
Yet, deep inside, a small voice whispered that I deserved to live for myself. That my happiness mattered. That I had the right to choose my own path. But that voice was often drowned out by the louder voices of expectation.
I began to see how this weight was crushing me. How it was stealing my joy, my authenticity, my life. I realized that no amount of approval from others could fill the emptiness I felt inside. That the only approval that truly mattered was my own.
The weight of expectation is a heavy burden. It shapes you, molds you, and in the process, it can destroy you. It’s a constant reminder of who you’re supposed to be, rather than who you are. It’s a chain that binds you to a life that isn’t yours.
I’m learning to listen to my own voice, to trust my own instincts, to follow my own heart. It’s not easy. The fear is still there, the pressure still exists. But I’m taking small steps toward living for myself, toward lifting the weight of expectation.
I’m beginning to see that true happiness comes from within. It’s found in living authentically, in making choices that reflect my true self, in embracing who I am. It’s about finding the courage to say “no” to others and “yes” to myself.
The weight of expectation is real, but so is the freedom that comes with shedding it. It’s a journey, a process, but I’m determined to find my way. To live a life that is truly mine, and to finally be at peace with who I am.
