Social media has made it worse. I'm constantly bombarded with images of perfect relationships, perfect families, and perfect friendships. I feel like I'm failing if I don't measure up to these standards, if I don't have a partner who adores me, or if I don't have a close-knit group of friends.
As a partner, I'm expected to be a certain type of lover – attentive, supportive, and always willing to compromise. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells, trying not to rock the boat or upset my partner. I'm afraid of being seen as selfish or un caring, so I often prioritize my partner's needs above my own. Social media has made it worse
It's like I'm a slave to the people around me, forced to prioritize their happiness and comfort above my own. I call it being a "budak" – a term that roughly translates to "slave" or "bondage" in Malay. It's a feeling of being trapped, of being unable to escape the weight of other people's expectations. As a partner, I'm expected to be a
I often find myself wondering if I'm the only one who feels like I'm stuck in a never-ending cycle of people-pleasing and obligation. As I navigate my relationships and social interactions, I feel like I'm trapped in a web of expectations, constantly trying to meet the demands of others while sacrificing my own needs and desires. It's like I'm a slave to the people
I'm trapped in a cycle of comparison, constantly measuring my life against the curated highlight reels of others. I feel like I'm not good enough, like I'm not doing enough, and like I'm not living up to the expectations of those around me.
But what if I were to break free from these expectations? What if I were to prioritize my own needs and desires, rather than trying to meet the demands of others? It's a scary thought, I know. I'm afraid of being seen as selfish, of hurting people's feelings, or of being rejected.
It's time for me to stop being a slave to the expectations of others and to start being the master of my own life. It's time for me to take control, to set boundaries, and to prioritize my own needs and desires.
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