Sick of Pleasing Everyone? Why Indian Women Are Saying No to Perfection
Shreya | Feb 22, 2025, 22:34 IST
Indian women have long been expected to uphold societal standards of beauty, behavior, and success. However, an increasing number of women are saying no to perfection. This article explores the pressures women in India face, how they are challenging traditional expectations, and why rejecting perfection is a form of empowerment and self-care in the modern world.
For generations, Indian women have been taught that perfection is not just desirable but expected. Whether it’s the flawless complexion, the ideal body, the perfect marriage, or a successful career, women in India have been conditioned to meet a multitude of societal standards. However, the winds of change are blowing. More and more Indian women are rejecting the idea of perfection and embracing authenticity and self-care instead.
From social media influencers to corporate professionals, women across India are actively challenging these unrealistic expectations, opting for a life that allows them to be themselves rather than an image crafted for others. But why now? What has sparked this cultural shift, and how are Indian women rewriting the script on perfection?
In India, women have long been expected to fit into well-defined roles. From a young age, girls are often taught that beauty, humility, and submission are important traits, while their talents and interests can take a back seat. These cultural ideals translate into pressure to look a certain way, behave a certain way, and even live a certain way. The pursuit of perfection is not just a personal goal; it’s a societal expectation.
The concept of the “perfect woman” has been deeply ingrained in Indian society for centuries. This idea often prioritizes external appearances over inner qualities. A woman is expected to excel in her professional life, maintain the household, keep up with the latest fashion trends, and most importantly, be pleasant, accommodating, and selfless. Many women are expected to find fulfillment in pleasing their families, their communities, and, often, society at large.
In recent years, this culture of perfection has been amplified by social media, where curated images of “ideal” lives dominate. The rise of Instagram influencers, YouTubers, and celebrities has made it seem like everyone should constantly be living a picture-perfect life. With beauty standards perpetuated by both traditional media and digital platforms, the pressure to conform has never been greater.
While perfectionism has been deeply rooted in Indian culture, younger generations of women are now embracing the idea of imperfection as a form of self-liberation. Indian women, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly rejecting unrealistic beauty standards, traditional gender roles, and social expectations.
The refusal to comply with these norms is driven by a desire for freedom and authenticity. Women are beginning to question why they should conform to standards that don’t reflect their true selves or their unique experiences. This new mindset is slowly breaking down the walls of gendered expectations, allowing women to redefine success on their own terms.
One key factor in this shift is education and the rise of awareness about mental health. Women are realizing that the constant pursuit of perfection is not only exhausting but also harmful to their emotional and mental well-being. The pressure to be “perfect” often leads to anxiety, depression, and burnout. In light of this, many women are embracing the importance of self-care, mental health, and authenticity over external validation.
Social media platforms, while a source of pressure, have also become a space where women are taking control of their narratives. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have given women the freedom to define themselves on their own terms, showing the world who they are without the need to conform to an ideal. Many Indian women are using these platforms to share their experiences, whether it’s discussing body positivity, mental health, or simply showing their authentic selves without filters or retouching.
While social media can perpetuate certain beauty standards, it also offers a powerful space for women to break away from traditional representations of perfection. Furthermore, influencers and public figures who openly reject the need for perfection are inspiring others to follow suit.
The rejection of perfectionism also ties closely to the growing feminist movement in India. As women become more aware of their rights and demand equality, there’s a growing recognition that societal pressures to be perfect are inherently tied to patriarchal structures that limit women's autonomy.
Feminism in India has evolved to encompass not only the fight for equal opportunities but also the fight against unrealistic beauty standards, rigid gender roles, and the constant demand for women to live up to expectations set by others. More women are calling out body shaming, gender discrimination, and the stigmatization of women who do not conform to traditional roles. This rebellion against perfectionism is not just about rejecting beauty standards; it’s about demanding the freedom to define one’s identity, choices, and life.
One of the most significant ways Indian women are rejecting perfection is by prioritizing self-care and mental well-being. The traditional notion of a woman’s worth being defined by her ability to serve others, be it her family, her spouse, or her community, has been disrupted. Indian women are learning to value themselves beyond their roles as caregivers and nurturers.
There’s a growing emphasis on self-love and acceptance, recognizing that perfection is not the goal - happiness, peace, and balance are. Women are learning to say no, set boundaries, and reject obligations that harm their well-being.
The rise of mental health awareness in India has also played a critical role in changing the narrative around perfection. Conversations about depression, anxiety, and emotional health are no longer taboo, and this has empowered women to seek help and put their mental health first. Saying no to perfection is a direct result of this newfound awareness that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Concludingly, Indian women are no longer content with living up to impossible ideals of perfection. They are breaking free from the constraints of societal expectations and creating their own paths to happiness, fulfillment, and success. Embracing imperfection is not a rejection of beauty or success—it is an affirmation of authenticity, mental health, and personal agency. As more women embrace their true selves, society’s view of what it means to be an “ideal” woman is shifting. The perfect woman is no longer the one who adheres to a set of rigid standards; she is the one who dares to be herself.
In rejecting the need to please everyone and striving for a life defined by personal fulfillment rather than external validation, Indian women are leading the way for a more inclusive, diverse, and authentic future.
From social media influencers to corporate professionals, women across India are actively challenging these unrealistic expectations, opting for a life that allows them to be themselves rather than an image crafted for others. But why now? What has sparked this cultural shift, and how are Indian women rewriting the script on perfection?
The Pressure to Be Perfect
A Perfect Family
In India, women have long been expected to fit into well-defined roles. From a young age, girls are often taught that beauty, humility, and submission are important traits, while their talents and interests can take a back seat. These cultural ideals translate into pressure to look a certain way, behave a certain way, and even live a certain way. The pursuit of perfection is not just a personal goal; it’s a societal expectation.
The concept of the “perfect woman” has been deeply ingrained in Indian society for centuries. This idea often prioritizes external appearances over inner qualities. A woman is expected to excel in her professional life, maintain the household, keep up with the latest fashion trends, and most importantly, be pleasant, accommodating, and selfless. Many women are expected to find fulfillment in pleasing their families, their communities, and, often, society at large.
In recent years, this culture of perfection has been amplified by social media, where curated images of “ideal” lives dominate. The rise of Instagram influencers, YouTubers, and celebrities has made it seem like everyone should constantly be living a picture-perfect life. With beauty standards perpetuated by both traditional media and digital platforms, the pressure to conform has never been greater.
Rejection of Unrealistic Expectations
A Girl with a 'Not Ashamed' Sticker on Her Face
While perfectionism has been deeply rooted in Indian culture, younger generations of women are now embracing the idea of imperfection as a form of self-liberation. Indian women, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly rejecting unrealistic beauty standards, traditional gender roles, and social expectations.
The refusal to comply with these norms is driven by a desire for freedom and authenticity. Women are beginning to question why they should conform to standards that don’t reflect their true selves or their unique experiences. This new mindset is slowly breaking down the walls of gendered expectations, allowing women to redefine success on their own terms.
One key factor in this shift is education and the rise of awareness about mental health. Women are realizing that the constant pursuit of perfection is not only exhausting but also harmful to their emotional and mental well-being. The pressure to be “perfect” often leads to anxiety, depression, and burnout. In light of this, many women are embracing the importance of self-care, mental health, and authenticity over external validation.
Social Media: The Double-Edged Sword
Social Media Apps.
Social media platforms, while a source of pressure, have also become a space where women are taking control of their narratives. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have given women the freedom to define themselves on their own terms, showing the world who they are without the need to conform to an ideal. Many Indian women are using these platforms to share their experiences, whether it’s discussing body positivity, mental health, or simply showing their authentic selves without filters or retouching.
While social media can perpetuate certain beauty standards, it also offers a powerful space for women to break away from traditional representations of perfection. Furthermore, influencers and public figures who openly reject the need for perfection are inspiring others to follow suit.
The Role of Feminism and Gender Equality
A Person Holding a Book
The rejection of perfectionism also ties closely to the growing feminist movement in India. As women become more aware of their rights and demand equality, there’s a growing recognition that societal pressures to be perfect are inherently tied to patriarchal structures that limit women's autonomy.
Feminism in India has evolved to encompass not only the fight for equal opportunities but also the fight against unrealistic beauty standards, rigid gender roles, and the constant demand for women to live up to expectations set by others. More women are calling out body shaming, gender discrimination, and the stigmatization of women who do not conform to traditional roles. This rebellion against perfectionism is not just about rejecting beauty standards; it’s about demanding the freedom to define one’s identity, choices, and life.
Embracing Self-Care and Mental Health
A Girl Making Heart with Hands
One of the most significant ways Indian women are rejecting perfection is by prioritizing self-care and mental well-being. The traditional notion of a woman’s worth being defined by her ability to serve others, be it her family, her spouse, or her community, has been disrupted. Indian women are learning to value themselves beyond their roles as caregivers and nurturers.
There’s a growing emphasis on self-love and acceptance, recognizing that perfection is not the goal - happiness, peace, and balance are. Women are learning to say no, set boundaries, and reject obligations that harm their well-being.
The rise of mental health awareness in India has also played a critical role in changing the narrative around perfection. Conversations about depression, anxiety, and emotional health are no longer taboo, and this has empowered women to seek help and put their mental health first. Saying no to perfection is a direct result of this newfound awareness that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Concludingly, Indian women are no longer content with living up to impossible ideals of perfection. They are breaking free from the constraints of societal expectations and creating their own paths to happiness, fulfillment, and success. Embracing imperfection is not a rejection of beauty or success—it is an affirmation of authenticity, mental health, and personal agency. As more women embrace their true selves, society’s view of what it means to be an “ideal” woman is shifting. The perfect woman is no longer the one who adheres to a set of rigid standards; she is the one who dares to be herself.
In rejecting the need to please everyone and striving for a life defined by personal fulfillment rather than external validation, Indian women are leading the way for a more inclusive, diverse, and authentic future.