Teen Life In Words

Expectations

Expectations.

That word itself hits me like a ton of bricks.

As a student, we're all used to being on the receiving end of a truckload of expectations.

Expectations from our parents, our teachers, our friends, our siblings, our neighbours, even from that distant relative whom you last saw ten years ago at a cousin's wedding.

You are expected to do well in school, to excel in sports, to grow mature with age, to become a better person, to learn what's right and wrong, to do well for yourself, to have people who know you walk around with proud smiles on their faces.

It's a pressure that's very easy to buckle under. You're afraid to disappoint those who mean something to you. You don't want to have them wear resigned expressions on the sight of you. Obviously, we all strive to make those who matter to us, proud. And we are afraid of not doing that. Of not being the perfect version of us for everyone.

But how many versions of yourself would you create?

Your mom's perfect you will differ from your dad's vision. Your teacher's dream for you isn't going to be the same as your grandfather's. It's impossible to please everybody. And yet we strive for it. We strive to achieve the impossible. We strive to not let anyone down. Even if it means losing ourselves along the way, we sometimes ignore that harsh truth and strive to be the one all elders talk boastfully about.

"That's my kid, the one with the trophy."

"That's my baby, the one on the podium."

"That's my legacy, the one with the perfect report card."

"That's my student, the one who topped."

"That's my brother, the one who got admission in that top college."

"That's my sister, the one who got the much coveted internship."

"That's my child, the one with that shiny car and the penthouse apartment."

Among all the boasting and all that claiming, nobody boasts of the person lost in an attempt to make everyone happy. Nobody claims the lost twinkle in a certain pair of eyes. It's crazy how sometimes an entire lifetime is spent pleasing everyone, meeting their expectations, making their dreams true, and it's not even noticed.

Expectations can easily become your vice, but it's only if you give them that power. It's only if you let them control you, let them dictate your thoughts and actions. Your decisions are yours to make, your mistakes are yours to regret, your choices are yours to live with.

Expectations are symbols of another's dreams, but they shouldn't be given the power to quench your fire. At the end of the day, it's all about knowing what you want and what you are willing to live with. Make choices that are yours, not someone else's.

Yes, we're all weighed down by the burden of expectations. We can let it drown us or we can rise above it. And isn't it always better to lift that weight a little higher than let it sink us a little deeper? 

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Hi there!

How long has it been since I've been around? Did you miss me? *Moriarty style*

I'm sorry for this break, school is super hectic I have zero free time.

But I hope you enjoyed this rant, do leave below comments with your thoughts I'd love to read them :)

Toodles!