Today I am
sharing something very personal about me. I have partnered with SK-II to support
and bring awareness of the social pressures women faces everyday, especially on
the factor of “growing older” as a woman. This has been a topic that we discuss
about every day in our life, we constantly feel like we are running out of time
in life.
I am sure
every one of you have felt pressured to live life a certain way, we’ve all felt
unsure of path ahead, act and behaviour accordingly to the society.
When I was
young, in my teenage years, I always saw a set path ahead of me, whether it was
to go to university, achieving good grades, get a nine to five job, getting
married by twenty-eight, having kids before thirsty. These are the set
standards that was set for every one of us to achieve as a human, especially as
an woman. These ages are not set accordingly to individuals, but according to
the society and what is the right time.
I was
raised in a very traditional Chinese family, growing up as a child there’s not
a single day in my life that I do not feel pressured to be something I am not,
whether is achieve highest mark in school or be successful in life. My parents are
constantly pushing me to be “better”, they have a very high expectation for me.
Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to impress and make my parents proud, I
would always try my hardest and push myself to get the best marks in school.
When it came to university, I was not the one to pick my future career or do
what I love. Instead I was pressured to attend University of Toronto for Life
Sciences, this is a career path that was selected for me by my parents, they
always wanted me to be a doctor when I get older. For those who know me, I’ve
doing social media and blogging since grade eleven, I truly love what I do.
However, half year into the program, I learned how much I hated my program. I
was never motivated enough to learn new things and I discovered that I have a
fear for blood. I never felt so discouraged in my life, but this is when I
realize that I need to stop seeking to fulfill the expectation of others and my
parents. I decided to dropped out of Life sciences and go into a field that I
enjoy which is Business and Marketing.
As I
reached my 20’s just recently, my parents are already telling me I need to stop
being so “picky” and get into a relationship or even getting marry within the
next five years, because I am running out of time according to my parents and
society. In Chinese Culture, it is important to marry before hitting thirty,
once you reach thirty and is still not married, you are to be considered as “left-over”,
yes just like a left over meal that no one would want. It is sad to see how as
a woman, we are pressured and labelled. There are so many expectations society
behold on us as we grow older, getting a stable income, get married, having
children.
SK-II have
empowered me to share my story and struggles with you, as well as sharing this
film to bring light to the issue that women should have the right to their own
choice, the right to live a life without expiry date, the right to choose their
own path in life. SK-II has launched this amazing campaign to show women are
not alone with these issues, we should share our experiences and learn from
each other. Always remember to take your time and choose what makes you happy.
The destiny is in your own hand, create your own destiny.
Love,
Chloe Zhang
Comments
Post a Comment