“The best thing I’ve learnt in my 20 years on this planet: do it for yourself. Don’t do it for anyone else. Life your life your own way.”

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How many times have you held back from pursuing something you wanted because of the fear of judgment? Whether it’s the weight of parental expectations or the looming pressure of societal norms, many of us have felt the suffocating grip of conformity. But isn’t it time to rewrite that script?

For me, the journey to self-discovery wasn’t linear. I found myself tangled in the web of societal approval from a young age. As a teenager, I equated popularity with success, spending valuable time and energy sculpting myself to fit a mould dictated by others. But in that pursuit of acceptance, I lost sight of my own identity.

It took me years to realise that not everyone will approve of you, and that’s perfectly okay. The turning point came when I broke free from the chains of conformity and embraced my true self, unapologetically.

University seemed like the next logical step, the pinnacle of success. Raised in an environment where academic achievement was paramount, I felt the weight of expectations bearing down on me. When I realised it wasn’t the path for me, I faced internal turmoil. It became the battleground for my internal struggles. But stepping off that expected trajectory opened doors to new possibilities and allowed me to define success on my terms. I discovered that success isn’t confined to the walls of a classroom or the shininess of a degree; it’s found in the pursuit of passion, the cultivation of purpose, and the unwavering commitment to authenticity.

Now, at just 20 years old, I stand proudly in my journey, recognising that success isn’t measured by degrees or titles but by the authenticity of one’s path. I also acknowledge that my journey is far from over. Every day presents a new opportunity to embrace my individuality, to defy expectations, and to chart a course uniquely my own. And while the road ahead may be riddled with uncertainty, I find peace in the knowledge that I am living on my terms, guided by my truth.

In this blog post, I invite you to challenge the status quo, to peel back the layers of societal expectations, and to embrace the beauty of individuality. Let’s break the mould and pave the way for our own unique narratives.