When dinner with my coworkers ends, I think of the path my parents chose for me.
I laugh along at dinner, then on the way home my parents’ hopes for me come back to mind.
Scenes
- I hesitate again on the way home — I laughed it off at dinner, but as soon as I got in the taxi, the career my parents want for me came back to mind.
- I laughed along with everyone — When my coworkers talked about promotions and steady jobs, I laughed too, but couldn’t bring up what I wanted to do.
- Their hopes and mine are different — When I try to make my parents’ hopes and my own wishes fit into one answer, either choice makes me feel like I’m letting someone down.
- Write down what you want, too — Tonight, write “What my parents want” and “What I want” as separate notes. Notice which one comes to mind first.
- My wishes haven’t disappeared — Even when my parents’ hopes come back to mind, my own choice hasn’t disappeared. I’ll start by looking at both sentences side by side.
Stories by Dalbit
- Dalbit
- When I close the door after work, I can’t think of anyone to reach out to.
- When a notification comes in, my shoulders tense up first.
- On payday, I want to ask how you are first
- When I think of my child’s report card, I end up grading myself too.
- After hearing about my friend, my own day feels small.
- Even in the salon mirror, the silence between me and my husband follows me.
- Folding laundry, I start worrying about my child again
- In the family chat, it’s always Mom who speaks