“Is It Healthy to Compete for Attention from Family or Society?”

Story:

Meenakshi grew up in a traditional Marathi household, where expectations ran high, and the concept of competition was ingrained in her from a young age. It wasn’t just about being the best at school or excelling in her career—it was about earning the approval of her family, her relatives, and society at large. The comparison with her cousins, especially her cousin Tanvi, had always been a constant source of stress for her.

In Meenakshi’s household, her parents, while loving, always subtly compared her to her cousin Tanvi. Tanvi was the model child in the family—her career was thriving, she had a successful marriage, and even her fashion sense was always praised. For Meenakshi, it often felt like she had to constantly prove her worth. If she didn’t earn the same level of praise or attention, she was made to feel as though she wasn’t enough. Her parents always had Tanvi’s accomplishments at the tip of their tongue, and no matter how hard Meenakshi worked, it always seemed like it wasn’t quite enough.

In Meenakshi’s mind, the idea of competition wasn’t about doing better for herself; it was about getting noticed by the people around her. The sense of validation from her family and society became a driving force. She found herself stuck in a cycle of comparing every decision, achievement, and personal milestone to what her relatives and others expected from her. It was exhausting, and the weight of always having to be better was beginning to take a toll on her mental well-being.

Her friends would tell her that she needed to focus on her happiness, but in the back of her mind, she always thought: What will my family think? What will society think? The pressure to fit a certain mold made her feel trapped, like she couldn’t express her true self without fear of judgment or disappointment.

It wasn’t until Meenakshi started working in a creative field, pursuing a career that was deeply personal to her, that she began to question the unhealthy competition she had been part of for so long. She loved the work, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that everything she did was still indirectly compared to what others expected of her. Her family, although proud, continued to subtly nudge her towards a more traditional, secure career.

Then came the day when she and Tanvi were at a family gathering, and Tanvi casually mentioned her upcoming international project. In that moment, Meenakshi realized something. Tanvi wasn’t competing with her—she was simply living her life in her own way, and it was time Meenakshi did the same. It wasn’t about being better or earning approval; it was about choosing a path that made her happy without constantly comparing herself to others.

In the weeks that followed, Meenakshi started to change her mindset. She stopped seeking validation from her family and society. She made it a point to set boundaries—emotionally and mentally. Instead of viewing Tanvi as competition, she started to celebrate her own wins, no matter how small they seemed. She found that the more she focused on her own journey, the less pressure she felt from others.

POVs:

Meenakshi’s POV:
For as long as I could remember, I was constantly trying to prove myself to my family. Every conversation, every achievement, always seemed to be in the shadow of Tanvi. I was exhausted from competing, not just with her, but with every expectation placed on me. But the moment I stopped comparing myself and began doing what made me happy, I felt a sense of freedom I had never known before. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Now, I see Tanvi’s success for what it is—her success, not mine to measure myself against. And I’m okay with that.

Tanvi’s POV:
I never realized how much pressure Meenakshi put on herself. I’ve always been doing my own thing, following my path, but I never meant for her to feel like she was competing with me. I could tell she was struggling with this, but I also knew that she had so much potential. It’s been wonderful seeing her finally start to walk her own path. I hope she knows that she doesn’t need to compare herself to anyone, not even me. She’s just as amazing as she is.

Meenakshi’s Parents’ POV:
We never intended for Meenakshi to feel as though she had to compete with Tanvi. We are proud of both of them, but I suppose in our own way, we placed more emphasis on Tanvi’s achievements. We didn’t realize the pressure it created for Meenakshi. Now, looking back, we see that we may have inadvertently contributed to her feeling inadequate. We just want her to be happy and successful in whatever path she chooses.