The Price of Responsibility-Why Indian Men Are Forced to Sacrifice Their Dreams
Riya Kumari | Dec 25, 2024, 01:58 IST
Men sacrifice, not for lack of desire, but for the weight of expectation, the quiet pull of responsibility. Dreams slip through their fingers like sand, replaced by duties too heavy to ignore. They lay down their own ambitions, not because they no longer care, but because the world asks them to carry more than just their own heart. In the silence of their giving, they lose pieces of themselves, believing that sacrifice is love. Yet, even in the quiet, a spark remains—waiting to be reclaimed.
Let’s talk about something that no one really wants to address but everyone feels: the quiet tragedy of Indian men letting go of their passions. It’s something we see too often, and yet, no one talks about it enough. You know the drill—guy has big dreams, a fire in his heart, but then, somewhere along the way, life asks him to put it all aside. And he does. Why? Because duty calls. Because the weight of responsibility presses down like a mountain he has to carry. And so, he chooses to leave his dreams behind. It’s not that he doesn’t want to chase those dreams. It’s that, for too many Indian men, the world demands they leave them behind.
The Dreamer and the Provider: Two Worlds Collide
Imagine this: You’re young, you’re idealistic, and the world is at your feet. You have your own unique spark—you want to be an artist, a player, a filmmaker, a musician. You can already see your future unfolding in front of you, painted in bright, bold colors. But somewhere between the desire to create and the pressure to be “responsible,” everything begins to blur. Enter reality: The family. The expectations. The constant reminder that “someone” has to be the rock. Someone has to ensure the future is secured. So, you push your dreams to the side because that’s what’s expected of you. And while your heart aches for the life you imagined, you put on your best smile and do what needs to be done. You take care of your parents. You look after your younger siblings. You follow the path your father walked because that’s what makes you a “good man.” In the process, you stop being the dreamer you once were. You become the provider. The problem-solver. The “good son.” And somewhere along the way, you forget the weight of your own heart.
The Guilt that Comes with Being a Man
Now, here’s where things get complicated. The guilt. Oh, the guilt. It’s this invisible, ever-present thing that clings to you, whispering in your ear that you’re not doing enough. That you’re not doing right by everyone. That you could’ve been more, but you chose the safe route. It’s like a constant reminder that if you dare to think about your happiness, you’re being selfish. That guilt doesn’t go away. It doesn’t fade with time. It lingers, eating away at you, quietly reminding you of what you gave up. You begin to wonder if your dreams were ever worth pursuing in the first place, if they were just a foolish fantasy you held on to for too long. And so, you bury them deeper. You stop dreaming.
The Pressure to Be “The Man”: A Story of Expectations
What’s often ignored in this narrative is the overwhelming pressure to fit a mold. The idea that a man’s value is defined by his ability to provide, protect, and fulfill the needs of others. It’s a burden placed on him without his consent, but it’s one he carries anyway because, somewhere along the line, he was told that this is what defines his worth. The truth is, society places a much heavier weight on the shoulders of men than we care to admit. It says, “You must be this kind of man.” It says, “Sacrifice your happiness for the greater good.” But at what cost? For too many men, the answer is their sense of self. They lose who they are in the process of trying to be the man everyone expects them to be. The problem is, the man they become is someone they don’t even recognize anymore.
Why It’s Time for a Change: Rediscovering Who You Are
But here's the thing: It's not too late to reclaim what was lost. It’s not too late to embrace both the man you are and the man you could have been. You don’t have to be defined by your responsibilities or by the expectations others place on you. The good news is that being responsible doesn’t mean giving up your dreams; it means learning to balance both. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it requires sacrifice. But it’s possible. The world doesn’t need you to fit into a box—it needs you to create your own. And the key is understanding that your passion is just as important as your duty. Because at the end of the day, if you lose yourself chasing what everyone else expects of you, what’s left? You’re not a robot programmed to just provide. You’re a person with dreams, desires, and a life that’s uniquely yours. It’s time to stop apologizing for wanting to live it fully.
A Message to the Men Who Forgot Their Passion
To all the men out there who’ve given up their dreams for the sake of duty: It’s okay to want more. It’s okay to chase what lights you up inside. You are allowed to be both the provider and the dreamer. And if you’ve lost your way a little, that’s okay too. It’s never too late to rediscover what you love. Your passion doesn’t make you less of a man. In fact, it makes you more of one. So, chase your passion, once again. Play that match. Dream big. Because you owe it to yourself—and the world—to not just survive, but to live fully. And in doing so, you’ll become the man you were always meant to be.
The Dreamer and the Provider: Two Worlds Collide
Dreamer
Imagine this: You’re young, you’re idealistic, and the world is at your feet. You have your own unique spark—you want to be an artist, a player, a filmmaker, a musician. You can already see your future unfolding in front of you, painted in bright, bold colors. But somewhere between the desire to create and the pressure to be “responsible,” everything begins to blur. Enter reality: The family. The expectations. The constant reminder that “someone” has to be the rock. Someone has to ensure the future is secured. So, you push your dreams to the side because that’s what’s expected of you. And while your heart aches for the life you imagined, you put on your best smile and do what needs to be done. You take care of your parents. You look after your younger siblings. You follow the path your father walked because that’s what makes you a “good man.” In the process, you stop being the dreamer you once were. You become the provider. The problem-solver. The “good son.” And somewhere along the way, you forget the weight of your own heart.
The Guilt that Comes with Being a Man
Defeated man
Now, here’s where things get complicated. The guilt. Oh, the guilt. It’s this invisible, ever-present thing that clings to you, whispering in your ear that you’re not doing enough. That you’re not doing right by everyone. That you could’ve been more, but you chose the safe route. It’s like a constant reminder that if you dare to think about your happiness, you’re being selfish. That guilt doesn’t go away. It doesn’t fade with time. It lingers, eating away at you, quietly reminding you of what you gave up. You begin to wonder if your dreams were ever worth pursuing in the first place, if they were just a foolish fantasy you held on to for too long. And so, you bury them deeper. You stop dreaming.
The Pressure to Be “The Man”: A Story of Expectations
Burden of Responsibility
What’s often ignored in this narrative is the overwhelming pressure to fit a mold. The idea that a man’s value is defined by his ability to provide, protect, and fulfill the needs of others. It’s a burden placed on him without his consent, but it’s one he carries anyway because, somewhere along the line, he was told that this is what defines his worth. The truth is, society places a much heavier weight on the shoulders of men than we care to admit. It says, “You must be this kind of man.” It says, “Sacrifice your happiness for the greater good.” But at what cost? For too many men, the answer is their sense of self. They lose who they are in the process of trying to be the man everyone expects them to be. The problem is, the man they become is someone they don’t even recognize anymore.
Why It’s Time for a Change: Rediscovering Who You Are
Footballer
But here's the thing: It's not too late to reclaim what was lost. It’s not too late to embrace both the man you are and the man you could have been. You don’t have to be defined by your responsibilities or by the expectations others place on you. The good news is that being responsible doesn’t mean giving up your dreams; it means learning to balance both. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it requires sacrifice. But it’s possible. The world doesn’t need you to fit into a box—it needs you to create your own. And the key is understanding that your passion is just as important as your duty. Because at the end of the day, if you lose yourself chasing what everyone else expects of you, what’s left? You’re not a robot programmed to just provide. You’re a person with dreams, desires, and a life that’s uniquely yours. It’s time to stop apologizing for wanting to live it fully.
A Message to the Men Who Forgot Their Passion
Man thinking
To all the men out there who’ve given up their dreams for the sake of duty: It’s okay to want more. It’s okay to chase what lights you up inside. You are allowed to be both the provider and the dreamer. And if you’ve lost your way a little, that’s okay too. It’s never too late to rediscover what you love. Your passion doesn’t make you less of a man. In fact, it makes you more of one. So, chase your passion, once again. Play that match. Dream big. Because you owe it to yourself—and the world—to not just survive, but to live fully. And in doing so, you’ll become the man you were always meant to be.