" High Expectations " 

This is the story (as a poem) of those who, in the search for excellence, set unrealistically high expectations for themselves and then feel crushed under their pressure, often forgetting their previous achievements and failing to appreciate themselves for those instead of looking down upon themselves. I know there is a section of people out there who will resonate with this....

It is never enough,

Will it ever be?

Is it the same with all of you,

Or is it just me?

'Wonderful manners,

Good at studies,

The best of marks,

The best of buddies'

Were the things expected,

Were the things I did,

Right from the start

As a school going kid.

Too many things

To tackle as a teen.

Expectations being

Very clearly seen.

'Wonderful manners,

Good at studies,

The best of marks,

And no-distraction-buddies'

Having followed this

At school throughout,

Career plan was something

Quite new to think about.

Expectations from toppers

Are always sky high.

'A career to be proud of

When someone asks why'

'Work hard for your goal,

Out-study everyone.

How can you ever be placed

Second to someone !?'

'Entrance exams tell you

Where you actually stand;

Which a little school exam

Can't make you understand'

For the first time, the results

Were far from expectation.

I wondered if, after tenth,

My brain went on a vacation.

Where's your intelligence?

Where's your brilliance?

Where is your motivation

To earn in billions?

My experiences at practice

Were rarely any good.

I felt nothing like

A topper ideally should.

I was collapsing under pressure

Of always doing better,

Of not meeting expectations

Of being a go-getter.

Turns out I did well

With stress at the door.

I met the expectations

With a decent score.

After all that I did,

I thought this was it.

Expectations will start

Slowing down a bit.

But getting the best college

Is where it hit the limit.

Next level peer pressure

Made me feel like I don't fit.

Here is what I learnt

From the expectation game.

You fulfill them, they go

Much faster than they came.

But you can't relax in peace

When you see them go,

'Cause their fulfillment is just what

They require to grow.

These aren't put forth

By parents or society.

Instead they are set

By me, for me.

Society and parents

Also expect sometimes,

But much less than what I do

From myself full time.

And now that I've got

My college life going;

And now that (although it's a joke)

I might get placed at Boeing*😁

I've decided not to be

So hard on myself,

Before expectations come

Appreciation for oneself.

Calm down, heal.

Slow down, breathe.

The life in you

Awaits to be freed.

                                                                             

                                                                                  ✎Shravani Kelapure

                                     *a company that recruits Aerospace Engineers🚀 

Today's Talk: I think I have written something after almost an year, my first year at college was quite a lot. I did not get to pause, reflect and write about something. Feeling lighter and better. At Nagpur currently for the semester break. Weather is fine here, I know it is worse at Chennai but that is what life is all about. Going to rejoin on 10th July...All good, see you readers later!