This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
As I reflect on my life, I realize that I've spent years trying to fit into a mold that society had created for me. The idea of a 'perfect' partner was etched in my mind, and I felt pressure to conform to these expectations.
At the age of 20, I was already following a strict code of conduct that I thought would guarantee me a loving husband. I would wake up at 4am to make breakfast for my partner, do his laundry, scrub his floors, and cook his meals. I would then wait for him to come home from work, walk him home, and keep him company while he ate dinner.
But despite my best efforts, I found myself feeling empty and unfulfilled. I was sacrificing my own happiness and identity to fit into this societal ideal. It wasn't until I hit my 30s that I realized I had been living a lie.
Seven years of scrubbing floors, ironing clothes, and cooking meals had come to an end, and I was left with nothing but a sense of regret. I had been so focused on pleasing society that I had forgotten what it meant to be myself.
So, I took a step back and re-evaluated my life. I realized that I didn't have to conform to societal expectations and that it was okay to be myself, flaws and all. I learned to speak up and express myself, even if it meant going against the norm.
It wasn't easy, but I eventually found the courage to break free from society's book of rules. I learned to love myself and to accept that I'm not perfect. And in doing so, I found true happiness and fulfillment.
