Breaking Free from the Shackles of Expectation

I’m sitting here, sipping on a lukewarm cup of tea, staring out the window at the world outside, feeling like a caged bird yearning to spread its wings. It’s funny how people always talk about following your dreams, but what they don’t tell you is that sometimes those dreams are suffocated by the expectations of others. I mean, Anonymous, have you ever felt like you’re living someone else’s life? Like, you’re just going through the motions, pretending to be something you’re not, just to fit in or make others happy? I know I have, and it’s a bloody nightmare. My mom’s always on my case about getting a ‘respectable’ job, settling down, and starting a family. But what about what I want? What about my dreams of traveling the world, of playing my guitar on stage, of writing a novel that’ll change the world? Do those things not matter? It’s like, I get it, she wants the best for me, but can’t she see that her idea of ‘best’ is not mine?

As I navigate through this crazy thing called life, I’m starting to realize that it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to take the road less traveled, to challenge the status quo, and to question authority. I mean, think about it, Anonymous, if we all just conformed to societal norms, where would the innovation come from? Where would the art, the music, and the literature come from? I’m not saying it’s easy, though. There are days when I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of self-doubt, when the voices of others are louder than my own. But then I pick up my guitar, and I start to play, and suddenly, everything else fades away. It’s like my music is my shield, my protection against the world. And when I’m on stage, performing in front of a crowd, I feel alive. I feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do. So, to all the rebels out there, the ones who refuse to be silenced, who refuse to be tamed, I see you. I hear you. And I’m right there with you, fighting against the shackles of expectation.

My dream, Anonymous, is to create something that’ll outlast me. Something that’ll make a difference in the world, long after I’m gone. I know it sounds crazy, but I believe that music has the power to heal, to inspire, and to bring people together. And I’m not just talking about my music; I’m talking about all art forms. I mean, think about it, when was the last time you read a book that made you feel seen? That made you feel like you weren’t alone in this crazy world? Or when was the last time you listened to a song that spoke directly to your soul? That’s what I want to create. That’s what I want to leave behind. And if that means breaking free from the expectations of others, then so be it. I’m ready to take the leap, to spread my wings, and to fly. Who’s with me, Anonymous?