“Why Do I Feel Like I Need to Prove Myself in a World That’s Already Been Set Against Me?”
Veena’s Struggle: Always Justifying
Veena had always been the type of girl who felt the need to explain every little thing. Whether it was why she chose a certain outfit, why she opted for a career path that wasn’t “traditional,” or why she decided to speak up in a conversation where most would remain silent—Veena felt the weight of always having to prove her worth.
She was the kind of person who lived in a world of overthinking, asking herself: Did I say the right thing? Did I offend anyone? What will people think of me now? Even the simplest decision—what to have for lunch—was an internal debate about how others might perceive her choices.
Veena’s POV: The Weight of Expectations
“It feels like no matter what I do, someone’s watching, waiting to judge me. I wasn’t raised to think for myself. I was taught to think for the family, for the community, for everyone else. From the way I speak, to how I dress, to who I choose to be friends with—everything had to be justified. My decisions were never just my own. They were scrutinized, dissected, and compared.
When I decided to go to university instead of getting married, it wasn’t celebrated. No one said, ‘Good for you, Veena. You’re choosing your own path.’ No, instead, I heard the whispers—‘She’s different,’ ‘What will her family say?’ ‘She should be settling down by now.’ I felt like I was carrying this invisible weight, like every choice had to be validated by those around me.
And when I chose a job in tech—something unconventional for someone from my community—it felt like I had to carry that decision on my shoulders, like a badge of honor, constantly reminding everyone that this was my choice, my right. But even then, it wasn’t enough. I always felt like I had to prove it—prove I wasn’t wasting my time, prove I wasn’t letting anyone down.
It’s exhausting. The need to justify myself, to explain my every action, every step. Why can’t I just exist without being questioned or judged?”
Veena’s Family’s POV: The Unspoken Pressure
Veena’s family didn’t understand. They had different expectations for her. The unspoken rule was: girls like Veena had a set path—finish school, get married, have children. But Veena had strayed from that path, and that made them uncomfortable.
“Why are you still single at your age, beta? Your cousin married at 23. You should be settled down by now.”
“You’re still working in that tech company? You should focus on a career that helps you build a family, not just a paycheck.”
Her parents were loving, but their expectations were suffocating. They didn’t know how to deal with Veena’s choices because they weren’t the same choices they had made for her. The pressure was never overt, but it was always there—embedded in the quiet comments, the concerned looks.
They loved her, of course, but they couldn’t help but feel disappointment that Veena wasn’t conforming to the societal standards they had grown up with.
Veena’s Friends’ POV: The Constant Comparison
Veena’s friends—those who were married, settled, and building families—often had their own lives, but even then, there was this silent competition. It was as if everyone around her was measuring her progress against their own.
“Veena, why aren’t you married yet? You’ve got your career, but where’s the balance? You’re so focused on your job, but shouldn’t you be focused on family? What’s next for you?”
Veena tried to brush off these questions, but deep down, she knew they were a reflection of the world that had been set against her. Society had set expectations that women were supposed to be more than just career-oriented, more than just independent. They were supposed to balance it all—and Veena was being asked to do so, too, even if she didn’t want to.
Veena’s Realization: Breaking Free from the Need to Prove
But over time, Veena started to realize something profound. The weight she had been carrying for so long was not hers to bear. The constant pressure to prove herself—whether to her family, her friends, or society—was draining the joy out of her life.
“I spent years trying to meet expectations that weren’t even mine to begin with. I tried to please everyone, to make them proud, but the truth is, I was never going to make them happy. I had to find peace within myself first. I had to stop justifying every little thing I did and just live.
For the first time in my life, I’m letting go of the need to prove anything to anyone. I’ll go at my own pace. I’ll make my choices, no matter how different they may seem, and I’ll own them. The truth is, I don’t need their approval. I need my own. And that’s enough.”
Veena’s Closing Thoughts: The Liberation of Being Authentic
“Today, I choose to live my life without constantly having to explain myself. I know who I am, and I know where I’m headed. I don’t need to justify every decision I make, every path I choose. I am worthy of my own respect, and that is all I need. I am not defined by anyone else’s standards. The world can set its expectations, but I’m going to set my own. And that’s the most liberating thing I’ve ever done.”
Final Reflection: The Truth About Proving Yourself
Veena’s journey is a reminder that no one should feel the need to prove themselves to the world, especially when the world doesn’t understand their individual journey. We all have our own timelines, our own dreams, and our own reasons for the choices we make. And ultimately, the only approval we need is our own.