It was in 2011 when I moved to India for 3 years that I learned not everyone is free to live their dreams. In the U.S. & Spain, trying to follow our dreams was normal, typically just more of a challenge for women than for men. But in some countries, one’s parents decide what they’ll do for work and who they’ll marry (with being single, having an alternative lifestyle, or pursuing a passion or dream basically off limits).
None of that fully hit me in India until friends started opening up about dreams they had but weren’t allowed to pursue. People they loved but weren’t allowed to be with. Joyless marriages and lives they felt trapped in. It broke my heart. Every culture is unique and theirs favours traditional gender roles and lifestyles over all else (woman as homemaker, man as breadwinner).
Over the years, I struggled to balance wishing for my friends’ happiness versus respecting the culture. As the daughter of a single, divorced mom who was fiercely independent and incredible at managing her finances, making her own money, owning her own home, and taught me that a woman doesn’t need to marry if she doesn’t want to … I’ve always viewed life differently.
I assume major negotiations happen but today it seems more men and women are taking a stand to live their DREAMS. More young people are choosing careers or jobs that make them happy, too.
More young women are also becoming solo travellers (or travelling with friends) than ever before. They are also riding motorbikes or waiting to get married so they can live a bit of life before settling down. Young men, too.
I know not everyone will agree but … some risks are worth taking. Like pursuing and living one’s OWN DREAM ❤️
Discover more from Angela Carson | Oversharing & Nomad Life in Asia
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