Unfiltered Muse

  Growing up, we all carry invisible backpacks — not filled with books or gadgets, but something far heavier: expectations and responsibilities . For many students like me, this invisible burden doesn't just weigh on our shoulders; it shapes our thoughts, controls our choices, and sometimes... crushes our spirit.  “Beta, tumse bahut umeedein hain. ” A sentence every Indian student has heard at least once in life. It sounds simple, maybe even loving. But when repeated constantly, it becomes a haunting echo that never leaves your mind. I remember hearing it after every exam, every competition, every family gathering — as if my entire worth was measured by how well I fulfilled my parents’ checklist. The Burden of Being "The Ideal Child" We’re told to study hard, behave perfectly, never argue, always respect elders, become engineers or doctors, make the family proud, never make mistakes, and above all — never fail. The idea of success becomes a standard we didn’t choose,...

  There was a time when I couldn’t fall asleep without replaying every single conversation I had that day. “Did I say too much?” “Was I too excited?” “Should I have stayed quiet?” I would overanalyze every emoji, every tone, every delay in someone’s response — not because I was dramatic, but because I was desperately searching for reassurance that I was… enough. I didn’t know back then that I was living my life through a lens that wasn’t mine. Every action, every word, every outfit — I viewed it all through someone else's eyes, always wondering: “Will they like this version of me?” And slowly, painfully, I began shrinking. I started to filter myself in conversations. I began hiding parts of me that felt “too much.” I became so good at people-pleasing, I forgot how to please myself. 💭 The High of Approval, and the Crash After Validation is a drug. It hits fast — a compliment, a laugh at your joke, a like on your photo — and suddenly you feel seen, appreciated, lov...

  Looking back at my life, I can’t help but smile at the things I once believed about myself. Over time, I've learned lessons, faced challenges, and discovered parts of me I never knew existed. If only someone had told me all of this before I became  me  — it would have saved me some headaches, heartaches, and maybe even a few lost years. But then again, I wouldn't change a thing, because those struggles led me to exactly where I am today. So, here are the things I wish I knew before I became who I am. 1.  Not Everyone Will Get You, and That’s Okay. For so long, I tried to fit into other people’s expectations of who I should be. I changed myself, molded my personality, and even adjusted my opinions just to get validation from others. I thought if everyone liked me, everything would be fine. The truth? Not everyone is meant to understand you. People have their own perspectives, biases, and experiences. And that’s okay. I learned that I don’t need to explain myself to ...