Freedom – But At What Cost?

A few days ago, while doom-scrolling on Instagram, I came across a random post that said how women these days end up considering the freedom to go out and work as their only source of freedom. This made me wonder how this thought is something that I never pondered upon. I

Financial independence is indeed a major source of what is an essential part of our freedom.

But what about the other notions of freedom? What about freedom of speech, expression, the choice to dress up the way we want, choose a partner for ourselves, the right to say no, and not succumb to societal pressures?

Many times, as women, we are conditioned to be submissive, to behave and act in a certain manner, to be the perfect wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Somewhere down the line, our own identity gets lost.

While carrying out all duties, we lose out on our individuality. Time passes and we often tend not to realise how, by every passing day, we forget to take care of our own selves, to do the things we want to. 

Let us have a look at our movies, you will always see that a free-spirited woman will be shown as a grey character or someone who doesn’t dress up the conventional way, or makes choices that don’t fit the standard of what is considered to be normal. Sad but true, patriarchy is so deeply ingrained in our society that often women themselves turn out to be the worst enemies of women. Don’t sit like this, don’t talk like this— are certain things women across all ages are told about. And this passes down to generations. 

A few years down the line, I came across a random video on YouTube that said, “Society always fears a woman who isn’t afraid.”

This made me wonder, how is this something that all of us women may have gone through? Just because we made a choice, expressed our free will, we were subjected to a lot of restrictions and perhaps didn’t receive the kind of support and appreciation we truly deserved.

There are many instances where a woman, despite earning well, may not have the freedom to spend the money she wants to. We are often judged when we try to do something for our own selves.

It’s forbidden.

I would like to quote here the erstwhile actress Rekha, who once said, “I feel women shouldn’t just be financially independent, but even emotionally independent. At the end, you need to be there for yourself– even when you have a partner.”

REMINDER: Be your own Woman, Free And Flawed. 

“Come as you are, be as you are,” and just celebrate that.” –Masaba Gupta

It is okay to put yourself first; remember that in the end, it is you against the world. The only consistent person in your life is you. So what you like or dislike is of most importance. It is time that you learn to appreciate yourself and have the strength to do what you truly want to do.

I would like to end by quoting another phenomenal actress from our industry, Aditi Rao Hydari- “Strength comes in many forms, it’s not always what you expect. Strength isn’t always loud or harsh. Strength is kindness, vulnerability, being authentic, and daring to follow your dreams.”

So the next time you want to do something for your own, be unapologetic and do it out of your own free will.

Sonali Swain

Sonali Swain is a Freelance Content writer from Delhi. She wishes to be an IFS Officer and is preparing for the Civil Services currently. She can be reached at sonaliankita18@gmail.com.