Discovering your purpose and what you want to do “when you grow up” can be insanely challenging, but is it particularly challenging for women?
Societal norms or expectations may be clouding our view of the possible.
Navigating the layers of societal expectations can be particularly challenging for women. From an early age, many of us are subtly guided by narratives about what we should want and who we should be. These narratives often emphasize traditional roles, primarily revolving around family and motherhood. While these roles can be fulfilling, they can also create significant barriers for women pursuing a broader range of ambitions.
The Early Imprints of Expectation
Consider the first toys given to girls—baby dolls, strollers, toy kitchen sets. These early introductions to nurturing can shape our perceptions of success and fulfillment. The story we’re told is that being a mother is paramount, often overshadowing the idea of pursuing a career in fields such as engineering or astrophysics or business development. When societal norms dictate that motherhood comes first, the notion of wanting a fulfilling career can feel secondary or even selfish.
The Pressure to Balance
This internal conflict is compounded by the expectation that women should seamlessly juggle home and work responsibilities. If a woman chooses to pursue a career, it often must align with her role as a primary caregiver, leading to a perpetual game of catch-up. The pressure to be a “super mom” while also excelling at work creates an environment where many women feel they must sacrifice their aspirations.
The Limited Scope of Choices
The options presented to women often reinforce traditional roles, emphasizing careers in caregiving—nursing, teaching, or therapy—while neglecting fields that are male-dominated, such as construction, finance, aviation or jobs in STEM. This limited menu of career choices can lead to a sense of frustration and confinement, as if we are being handed a kids’ menu of possibilities. And sometimes we don’t even know we were directed towards these limited options until later.
Reimagining Possibilities
But what if we could shift this narrative? What if we allowed ourselves to envision a life where we could pursue any career without the restrictive lens of societal expectations? The first step is to dismantle the ingrained belief that our paths are predetermined. By asking ourselves, “What if I could do anything?” we open up the possibility for exploration and growth.
The Challenge of Self-Discovery
While platforms like ChatGPT can offer ideas and suggestions, they often provide generic advice based on popular trends or can be only as good as the questions it is asked. To truly find a passion, it’s essential to dig deeper. Instead of relying on predetermined paths, we should challenge ourselves with questions that provoke thought and inspire action.
– **What if I pursued what excites me, even if it seems unconventional?**
– **What if I sought out mentors in fields I’ve never considered?**
– **What if I dared to try and maybe fail, would that open up what I would try?**
Breaking Free from Constraints
The goal is to craft a life that resonates with our individual passions and purposes, rather than settling for a version that merely feels tolerable. Because tolerable is not a life, tolerable is a sentence. Tolerable is not sustainable.
By actively questioning the limitations placed upon us, we can start to carve out paths that reflect our true desires and ambitions. Maybe I don’t want a huge house on the cul-de-sace with PTA meetings and a 5 day work week. It’s not just about finding a job or a title; it’s about discovering a sense of self that thrives beyond the expectations of others. What space will I feel content in? What makes me excited or curious?
Be bold in your aspirations, and remember: the world is full of possibilities waiting for you to claim them. So, what will you choose to pursue today?