"Breaking the silence: Aren't we too young to experience anxiety and crushed by expectations?"

Name    : Lameya Jannat Lam

ID         : 24136046

Section : 41

Most of the time, we are clueless about the reason for our anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of distress, fear, and worry. People of any age can experience anxiety, but it is more prevalent at a young age. I believe we are too young to lie on our bed and experience shaking legs, trembling hands, and crying the whole night to wake up in the morning as a strong person. Sometimes, because of anxiety, we feel so alone even if we're not and unintentionally make ourselves sad. At that time, everything feels so chaotic that nothing makes sense. Sometimes anxiety can cause memory loss, and one forgets what happened at that exact moment.

We always feel burdened by expectations of achieving the best. The burden of expectations often leads to depression and anxiety. Whether it's the pressure to excel academically, meet societal standards of success, or maintain a perfect social life, the relentless feeling of expectations can leave individuals feeling suffocated and incapable. The fear of failing or not meeting the standards set by others or even oneself can make us feel inferior. Ultimately, the crushing burden of expectations can impact our mental health leading to stress, anxiousness, and self-doubt.

As one progresses from school, the expectations only intensify, setting benchmarks of success. The pressure of expectations reaches the highest point when one sits for university admission tests. At that time, the weight of a parent's aspirations can feel particularly crushing. While parents may only intend to motivate and support their children, the unintended consequences of pressure can be harmful. The fear of disappointing parents and loved ones makes us feel helpless. For many students, this period can be traumatizing. Sometimes, students invest so much time and energy in nurturing their potential during admission tests that it impacts their physical and mental health.

Experiencing anxiety and feeling crushed by expectations is not a sign of weakness or immaturity. Rather, it's an experience of the complexity of life. We always tend to show ourselves as a strong person in front of everyone. But, most of the time, our hearts want someone to say you can do it. To overcome anxiety and the weight of expectations, we need to practice mindfulness, set our goals, seek support, and prioritise self-care. We should remember to focus on what we can control and be kind to ourselves along the journey. We have to consider it as a journey filled with ups and downs to help us grow in life and learn to overcome anxiety because, at the end of the day, we get what is best for us.