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My parents are concerned about me. They are worried sick that I may have a serious problem. They don’t like it that I keep to myself these days. They tell me not to me so moody, spending so much time behind the closed door of my room. Painting and poetry befit people of gloom, I am told.
But within the comfort of my room, I am myself. Nobody to be
compared with, none to compete with. I spend my time reading, writing, painting
and dreaming. I enjoy the slow pace of life here. My mom sees this as a danger
signal. She thinks that I’d be better off doing the things she has planned so
meticulously for me.
Strangely, those are the very things I loathe. Being dragged from
piano lessons to dance class to martial arts to public speaking and debate
clubs. Participating in endless competitions. Bringing home shining golden
trophies that will be showcased in our living room. A spectacular display of my
failure. Failure to freely do what I love.
Sometimes I want to scream. I want to tell my parents that I
am not one bit excited about their plans for me. That I find solace in the
silence of my room, putting my thoughts into words. I want them to know that I
am not insane just because I prefer to be on my own. How can I tell them that it
is their plans that suffocate me? Plans where I don’t belong.
As we sit with the psychiatrist, my mother goes on and on
about how I am so downcast in spite of them being such encouraging parents and
me being an achiever. As usual I keep waiting for my turn to talk knowing that it will never come.
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I can understand where you come from. I can also understand where your mother comes from.
ReplyDeleteThankfully this is not my story!! It's a work of fiction :)
DeletePlanning out everything for their life but their "living". If success and joy could be measured through materialistic possessions and degrees, the richest and the most educated wouldn't ever cry. Most don't understand that.. Wonderfully written Vidya!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shanx ;) Hey, it rhymes!! I agree, in their race to give the child the best, it would be nice if they stopped and asked what the child really likes and wants for himself.
DeleteIt's hard. There can be too much of being by oneself, but when one is pushed into something one doesn't want...
ReplyDeleteLiz A. from Laws of Gravity
It is sad when parents never stop and take time to listen to what the kids want. And it's sadder that wanting to travel through a different path which is not laid out by others is considered a bad choice!
ReplyDeleteI can relate so much with this! But thankfully, they haven't dragged me to the psychiatrist yet :P
ReplyDeleteMy Soul to Steal
Unfortunately parents live though their children so they get them to do all the things they couldn't. But life isn't like that is it?
ReplyDeleteThat must be so suffocating - living our life in a world that doesn't belong to us, living a life that has been planned for us, without any consideration given to our feelings or needs. Pity such a life, pity the poor soul! Beautifully narrated, Vidya!
ReplyDeleteMoral of the story is that each person develops at their own pace. There has to be that understanding. Unfortunately people are pretty fixed in their ideas of what is acceptable and what is not
ReplyDeleteThis one really hits home. My kindergarten teacher described me as "withdrawn" and expressed concern. As a teen, my mother nicknamed me "Morris" (a play on the word "morose"). It took me years to fully accept that my extreme introversion wasn't some sort of character flaw, but part of my unique makeup that helps me as a writer.
ReplyDeleteanother great piece! it might not be your story, but sure fits quite a few young people's lives...
ReplyDeleteA reality of our times. Most parents try to fulfill their dreams through their children, pushing them, pulling them in different directions and in turn putting so much pressure on them!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad, really, when parents don't listen to their child at all. Coincidentally, my 'L' post was about listening, considering how it's something no one does nowadays!
ReplyDelete