My name is Mahek, and I am based in Melbourne — trying to navigate life one article at a time. By day, I work as a marketer for a software development company. Honestly, writing this feels a bit surreal because it still feels like I am getting used to this wonderfully strange, beautiful country and figuring things out as I go.
But let me take you back for a moment.
A little context: fresh out of high school, I was basically told Gujarat was my world, and I wasn’t going anywhere beyond it. Yep, no travel, no adventures, just… Gujarat. It wasn’t even a conversation.
My boundaries were drawn for me before I could even figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
And here’s the thing: school doesn’t give you a choice. You were just expected to ace every subject, no questions asked. You’d graduate, and finally, FINALLY, you’d have the freedom to make decisions. But, as it turns out, society has a way of stepping in and messing with your plans, especially when you’re a woman.
So, I decided to play it safe and prepare for design college in Ahmedabad. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work out. I tried, I failed, and for a moment, it felt like the world had just crumbled. Now what? Where in Gujarat could I go? What do I even do next? BBA? MBA? Definitely not. Doctor? Lawyer? Engineer? Yeah, not my path.
But there was one thing I did know: dance. For as long as I can remember, it was a part of me. But making a career out of it? As a teenager, I didn’t have a strong sales pitch to convince my folks to let me pursue it professionally.
So, I spent nights journaling and trying to figure things out. And then, it hit me: writing. If I weren’t dancing, I would be writing. It just made sense. But how do you even pursue writing in Gujarat?
That’s where my brother came to the rescue. He was studying in Bengaluru at the time, and after he graduated, he convinced my dad to let me go there for my undergrad. And just like that, a door to a whole new world opened.
The first time I stepped out of my small circle and into Bengaluru — it was exciting, overwhelming, and, to be honest, a little bit intimidating. But it was also exactly what I needed.
Fast forward, and there I was, graduating from CMS University in Bengaluru. Those three years weren’t just about academics. They helped me grow into someone who was finally ready to think about studying abroad.
And guess what? My dad trusted this new version of me. He didn’t hesitate. He said, “Go wherever you want. Do whatever you want. I’m here to support you”. And, just a few months later, in 2023, I was in Melbourne. A Master’s student at Monash University, studying Media Communication.
I thought life in Melbourne would just be like it was in Bengaluru, smooth, simple, and almost cinematic. But, well… life doesn’t always work that way. About two months in, I was in full-on student hustle mode, searching for casual jobs, creating a résumé that was mostly honest, with a few creative liberties here and there, and handing it out to anyone who would take it.
Two years later, I’m still on that same treadmill: casual jobs, part-time roles, internships, contract work, and eventually, a full-time job.
I came to Melbourne as a student, and now, two years later, I’m a temporary resident, managing everything on my own. It feels like life has, in a way, come full circle.
But here’s the twist: does it feel satisfying? Content? I don’t know. On paper, I’ve ticked all the boxes, responsibilities- check. Adulting- check. But in some way, it feels like I’ve joined the rat race without ever pausing to ask:
“Wait, is this even my race to run?”
Here’s what I’ve learned on this rollercoaster ride: life, society, and humans in general are a beautiful, messy, manipulative mix. Yes, it’s important to build pillars in your life — your goals, ambitions, and direction. But don’t forget to breathe every now and then.
I was told wrong or maybe I just misunderstood, but here’s the truth: Life is NOT a race. You’re not here to just follow a set of instructions. You’re here to live, make your own mistakes, learn your own lessons, and design your own life. Fall apart when things don’t work out, and when you’re ready, pick yourself up and keep walking.
We’ve already spent generations walking paths laid out by others, paths shaped by expectations, rules, and norms that weren’t ours to begin with.
This world handed us a checklist of rights and wrongs, and we’ve followed it far too long without question.
Now is the time to unlearn.
Start creating your own lists, your rights, and your wrongs. Let them reflect your truth, not someone else’s.
And don’t, under any circumstances, let anyone tell you how you should live your life.
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