Do you ever feel like your life was planned out long before you even had a say in it—shaped by the expectations of generations before you or silently molded by what society deems "successful"? It’s easy to believe the choices are yours, but the path often feels set: get a job, get married, have kids, and repeat. It’s as if there’s a rulebook nobody remembers agreeing to, yet we all know the steps by heart.

These expectations surround us like an invisible current, gently pulling us along a pre-approved course. Sometimes the pressure is subtle—a quiet nudge toward the next milestone. Other times, it feels direct, leaving little room to question whether this path is even right for you. Whether or not it aligns with your true desires, staying on track can feel like the only way forward.

It seems like everywhere you turn, the same image of success quietly takes shape. Whether it’s a toothpaste commercial or a sitcom, the message is almost always the same: happiness means a smiling couple, two perfect children, a golden retriever, and a shiny car parked outside a pristine suburban home. This is the blueprint for success, the dream we are told to chase without question.

But who decided this was the only version of a meaningful life? And what happens when life unfolds differently—or when you choose a path that doesn’t follow this script?

What........

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