What happens when duty is in conflict with the heart’s desire?
That’s Lady Whistledown, in Season 2 of Bridgerton (yes, yes, I know it’s just a high-end soap but it’s so easy on the eyes, and let’s be clear, we’re all watching it, right? I for one lost all of Saturday to the show!).
The eldest Miss Sharma, or Kate, as she is known in upper crust England, is a central figure in this season, and the epitome of a No. 1 Immigrant Daughter.
So internalized is her sense of duty that she’s not even able to acknowledge her heart’s desire until late into the season. That felt so painfully familiar to me.
I spent so many years being dutiful and responsible – to my family, friends, work, heck the world. Somewhere along the way, I lost touch with my deepest desires. My sense of responsibility towards what needs to be done often overwhelms what I want to get done, or what I want, period. For years, this worked for me. Society rewarded the responsible Sayu, so I kept it going.
Here’s the thing about duty – it’s designed to hold you back. For women in particular, duty is about service to others, living up to an ideal.
But I’m in the process of uncovering my desires, remembering what little Sayu enjoyed, what lit her up and brought her joy.
Where are you on the journey to achieving your heart’s desires, to (re)discovering the little girl who became an adult too soon?
If you need inspiration, here are some questions to consider (Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way):
I feel most free when ….
As a child, I enjoyed…
When I dream about how I want to live, I …
Happy dreaming!