When Being a Girl Comes With Conditions

Sometimes I feel like being a girl comes with a list of conditions nobody ever officially gives you.

You can go out, but not too late.

You can dress how you want, but make sure it’s “appropriate.”

You can have friends, but be careful who they are.

You can talk to boys, but don’t get “too friendly.”

You can have opinions, but don’t be “too stubborn.”

You can be independent, but don’t forget what people expect from you.

And somehow, every choice comes with an explanation.

If you stay quiet, you're considered shy.

If you speak up, you're considered disrespectful.

If you care too much, you're emotional.

If you don't care, you're heartless.

The frustrating part isn't even the rules themselves.

It's how naturally everyone expects you to follow them.

Nobody says, “You have to live this way.”

They just keep repeating little things until you start thinking twice before doing anything.

“Log kya kahenge?”

“Achhi ladkiyan aisa nahi karti.”

“Thoda adjust karna seekho.”

Maybe that's why so many girls grow up questioning themselves before questioning the rules.

Not because they don't know what they want.

But because they've been taught to think about everyone else's comfort before their own.

And honestly, I don't want to spend my whole life trying to become the version of a girl that everyone else finds acceptable.