There’s nothing harder than having to choose between what you want and what your parents want for you.

This was my situation a few years ago.

I wanted to become a football player but my parents wanted me to become a doctor. They said studying medicine would earn me more respect, and money. They also said football was not something a girl should find herself playing.

And so, I listened to them. Plus, I didn’t want to disobey them. I was ready to do anything to make my parents proud of me.

And that’s how I found myself in the university studying medicine. But as time went on, I started getting worried that I wasn’t following my dreams. It bothered me that I had to ignore my heart’s desire.

Looking back now, I wish I opened up to my parents earlier. Maybe if I told them how I really felt who knows they might have just agreed to let me become a football player.

Yes, parents are there to guide us but we also have an important role to play in making decisions that will affect our own lives.

I know sometimes speaking up isn’t so easy, but it is possible.

And so my advice to anyone in a similar situation is follow your heart. Try your possible best to talk to your parents or guardians about your dreams.

Don’t waste time thinking about all the things you could have done when you can fix it by speaking up for yourself.

Even though I am a doctor now, I still play football with an amateur team and dream about becoming a football player in future.

Some days, I even invite my parents to watch my games. Although, they are not still sure about this dream of mine but they are however ready to support it.

P.S. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to pick the “right” path. Life is a journey not a sprint. So even if you start going down one path and you realise you don’t like it, you can always turn around and go in a different direction. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams.

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