Breaking Free: Choosing Your Path in a World That Wants to Choose for You

Authored by Adhithya

There’s a moment in every young person’s life when they realize the world has already charted out their journey. The job you’re supposed to have, the person you’re supposed to marry, the children you’re supposed to raise—it’s a script handed to you before you even understand what it means. And if you dare to rewrite that script, be ready for whispers, raised eyebrows, and the heavy sighs of disappointment from people who think they know what’s best for you.

If you’ve ever felt suffocated by expectations—whether it’s about pursuing an unconventional career, choosing your own partner, or simply living life on your terms—you’re not alone.

This is for everyone who’s tired of living for others. For the girl who wants to be a tattoo artist, the boy who dreams of starting a café, the couple who chooses to stay childfree, or the young woman who refuses to marry because she’s focused on herself.

Why It Feels So Hard to Live for Yourself

Let’s not sugarcoat it: societal expectations are brutal. Especially if you come from a conservative family or culture, there’s this unspoken rule that your life isn’t really yours—it belongs to your parents, your extended family, and even random aunties who feel entitled to judge you.

For many, success isn’t about happiness or fulfillment. It’s about ticking off boxes:

• Great job? Check.

• Respectable partner? Check.

• Two kids? Double check.

• Approval from everyone around you? Priceless.

But here’s the thing no one tells you: these boxes were never meant to hold you. They were built for a version of you that’s easy for society to understand, not the version of you that’s real.

Redefining What It Means to Be “Successful”

Success doesn’t have to look like a six-figure salary, a big wedding, or a house full of kids. Success can look like:

• Opening that tiny art studio you’ve always dreamed of.

• Running a small business that gives you freedom.

• Living in a rented flat with your partner because you prioritize experiences over possessions.

• Being single and content, because your life doesn’t need a partner to feel complete.

• Travelling to your favorite destination you've always dreamed of.

If your definition of success doesn’t fit society’s mold, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re creating something new, something beautiful—and yes, something scary.

What to Do When Your Family Doesn’t Get It

The hardest part about choosing an unconventional path is dealing with family. Indian parents, in particular, have this knack for equating their children’s choices with their own success or failure.

They might say things like:

• “How will people respect us if you don’t follow tradition?”

• “You’re throwing away everything we’ve done for you!”

• “You’ll regret this later.”

It’s easy to get caught in the guilt, but remember:

1. Their Fear is Not Your Reality. Most of the time, their concerns are rooted in fear—fear of the unknown, fear of judgment, fear of failure. But that fear belongs to them, not you.

2. Respect Doesn’t Mean Sacrifice. You can love and respect your parents without living their dreams. Honoring them doesn’t mean erasing yourself.

3. Time Changes Perspectives. When you persist, when you prove your dedication to your path, even the most skeptical parents can come around.

   
   

Dealing with Society’s “What Will People Say?”

Ah, the eternal Indian anthem: “Log kya kahenge?” (“What will people say?”)

Let’s be honest: people will always have something to say. If you get married young, they’ll ask why you’re not focusing on your career. If you don’t marry, they’ll call you selfish. If you start a business and fail, they’ll say, “I told you so.”

Here’s the secret: you can never please everyone. So why not please yourself instead?

• If someone questions your choices, you don’t owe them an explanation. A simple, “This is what works for me,” is enough.

• If relatives gossip, let them. Their opinions won’t pay your bills or bring you peace.

  
  

For the Rebels Who Choose the Unconventional Path

To the girl who wants to open her own bakery instead of becoming an engineer: Go for it. The first step will be hard. The second will be harder. But the joy of waking up every day to do something you love? That’s worth it.

To the boy who wants to take a gap year to travel instead of jumping into a corporate job: Do it. You’ll learn more about life on the road than in any office cubicle.

To the couple who doesn’t want kids: It’s your life, not a family project. The love and time you save by not conforming can be poured into each other and the world in countless ways.

To anyone who chooses love marriage, or no marriage at all: Your happiness isn’t negotiable. Traditions are meant to serve people, not the other way around.

A Final Note to Everyone Fighting for Their Dreams

You don’t have to be the “good girl” or “perfect boy” society expects. Be the brave one. Be the one who chooses a path others are too scared to walk.

Yes, it’s lonely sometimes. Yes, you’ll question yourself. And yes, you’ll face criticism. But the freedom to live on your terms? That’s worth every battle.

One day, the same people who doubted you might admire you. But even if they don’t, you’ll look back and say, “I did it my way.”

You’ve got this. Keep going.