Raindrops splattered softly against the window, creating a gentle melody of nature’s unrest. Inside, a woman sat with a notebook in her lap, her fingers trembling over its blank pages. For years, people had told her her words were unnecessary, her thoughts too loud, and her dreams too selfish; “a good wife serves and mother sacrifices”, so the pages remained blank as did her life: erased desires, silenced opinions, and unspoken rebellions were just like her life, with no end in sight.
Myth of a Selfless Woman
Once, there was a tree at the heart of a forest. It stood tall with branches stretching wide to provide shelter to all manner of creatures beneath its shade, birds nesting on its arms, animals resting beneath its canopy, and even wind playing through its leaves, yet never managed to grow taller due to constant demands from within and without for more shelter, comfort or sacrifice from this very same tree.
Society tends to portray ideal women as this tree: selfless, nurturing and selfless in her giving nature. But what happens when its roots seek deeper soil and its branches long for more expanse of sky?
She was that tree. Each morning before sunrise, she rose early and prepared meals and folded clothes while trying to satisfy her hunger–for food, rest and purpose. If she dared sit with her journal for too long, someone called out, “Chai? Food? Where is my shirt?” Her thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm as soon as she thought about becoming a career or speaking up against elders; she said, “Don’t argue with elders” If she desired children, she was told, “Wait for a family decision.”* If she wanted a child, it was advised to wait for the family’s decision.”
Life had already written her script.
Awakening: When Your Inner Voice Speaks
At first, this whisper of rebellion seemed quiet, just a mere droplet before becoming an overwhelming torrent. “What about me?” it asked timidly.
She ignored it for a while before hearing, louder and clearer than before: “Is This All There Is?” She found herself staring into space again when one evening, as she stood in her kitchen, fingers sticky from dough-making, mind numb from repetition, she heard it again: louder and clearer: Is This All There Is?”
That night, she did not sleep. Instead, she lay awake, her mind wandering back over years of swallowed words, unfulfilled ambitions, and identity loss. She thought about all the women before her–her mother and grandmother–who had followed a similar script, believing sacrifice to be love. But was it?
Love should never require silence or erase dreams.
A Woman’s Emotions
A forest thrives because each tree, plant and creature finds its place. Vines climb upwards while flowers blossom into bloom and rivers flow freely–every element coexists in harmony without expecting another to stop growing for its sake.
Women’s souls are ecosystems of their own, dynamic and ever-evolving. When society forces them into one specific role – be it mother, caretaker, silent sufferer or martyr – the balance is disturbed.
She was told: “A woman’s highest duty is family.” (But isn’t self-care just as important?) And her voice was too loud! It’s when the truth hurts someone’s feelings. (When did honesty become illegal?)
The world had taught her to believe that selflessness was strength, yet true strength is not found in endless giving; true strength comes in knowing when it’s time to say enough is enough.
Choosing Between Shadows
On one side was the ghost of the “perfect woman”, an idealistic representation of marriage and motherhood. While she received praise and admiration from those around her, beneath all these accolades lay an empty shell that held nothing inside it.
On the other side of this divide stood an unapologetic, unrestrained figure whose writing, comments, and career demands demanded equal respect from society. Society may have called her selfish, rebellious, or difficult, but she was truly free.
Which shadow would she follow?
Rebellion: Small Acts of Defiance
Change did not come easily or abruptly; it began slowly with quiet rebellions: The Stolen Hour. She started rising early each morning, not for cooking or writing purposes, but to write for one hour–for herself. The Unapologetic No” When they asked her for tea during her workout class, she smiled and responded, ‘I’ll make it later”
The Career Leap. She applied for the promotion, which they described as being too ambitious.
Me – [Financial Freedom: She opened an account under her name and saved money in it.
Each action was an effort to break down old walls; each “no” represented her voice reclaiming itself.
“Women Shouldn’t Take Comfort From Their Silence”
Today is not like the 70s or 80s: women no longer exist as shadowy figures within men’s lives; instead, they are full force, storm and calm alike.
Women who realise their worth cannot be contained. Those who think otherwise are just playing silly.
She may choose family or independence; whatever decision is made should be a personal one made solely by herself.
And when she finally listens to that inner voice that tells her, “You deserve more”, she not only survives; she thrives.
She succeeds.