Break the stereotype

Smash it, pop it, but break it.

It was in 2017 when my mom asked me, "Are you sure you want to take up science?" because she found it odd and it was. You see a person drawing or painting for the past 10 years and suddenly they choose science, weird right? It almost seemed like I was killing off the creativity inside me. It was in 2019 when she asked again, "Are you sure you want to go for engineering?" because 2 years of science doesn't compensate for my natural artistic abilities.

It was in 2020, when I felt I took the wrong decision but only because I felt I had to make a choice. So many and literally countless amounts of people have led me to believe that I can't be an artist and an engineer at the same time or that I can't have everything. Honestly, at first, I did feel yeah, maybe they are right. But it was not until 2023 I genuinely started embracing the differences.

I realized that those opinions, which I respect a lot btw, were drawn from experiences they had in their life and I may necessarily not have them. I might not necessarily want everything but maybe something, even if it's worth trying. There was a friend who once said to me, "Is there anything you can't do?" and I felt a little like, "Oh this is a new thing. Nobody ever let me embrace my differences."

There were so many degree decisions changed, so much overthinking done, and so many pros and cons made until one fine day I realized that maybe, maybe just maybe I can simply do what I want to do. For a really long time, there has been this stereotype that you can't love arts and science.

I am sorry, have you heard of Leonardo Da Vinci? Vinci is described as a polymath because he was an architect, artist, engineer, sculptor, and mathematician. He is famous for the Mona Lisa, but did you know that the same man was responsible for the concept of camera obscura, which was regarded as the base for studying human vision?

Oh, and let's not forget Hedy Lamarr, Natalie Portman, Lisa Kudrow, and Mayim Bialik. Why? All these actresses have made a huge impact on screen but are also groundbreaking scientists. They have not made their fame in the acting industry but also led to work in science whilst holding PhDs. So clearly, it doesn't have to be a choice.

The reason why I chose to write this as a blog is, as someone who is in her 20s just like half of the population I've felt the need to make a choice but now that I think of it I don't even have to. Yeah on paper, I am an engineer and might work as one in corporate but I am also good at arts....and just like you might be too. I am not saying that don't make a choice, if it works for you, do make a choice but don't shut out on your creative side or hell your scientific side.

You can be good at math and at painting portraits.

You can be good at coding and at creative writing.

You can be good at building an application and at designing one too.

Stop limiting yourself for the sake of society. Choose what you wish to become. If nobody has said this to you, let me say it, You can be good at multiple things and that's amazing!

No, I am not saying you be reckless. I am saying be limitless. Yes, you can choose to have a developer's day job but you can also choose to have an artist's sleepless night. I am trying to say don't do things because people expect to look at you in a certain way. Do things because you know what you want to look like, and leave the perception to them.

We have these experiences and draw immediate conclusions and it may not be certainly a bad thing but it can get problematic when we impose those judgments on others.

Just today {7th of August,2023} I had an honest conversation about my future with my mom, and it all made sense. It felt messed up this morning when I had a silent panic attack until I hugged my mom, talked to my best friend, and had some chocolate ice cream.

The thing is we self-impose this pressure on ourselves to be someone under the fear of not becoming someone and maybe that needs to change because guess what? You are already here, breathing, doing something bit by bit and that really makes you someone. You don't have to be a part of the race, you can just be a spectator and run your own marathon but you must be brave to know that even if there is not a single person watching your race, you'll always have your own back.

So, breathe. Slowly, let go of the pressure. You'll figure it out.

Take care.

Written by,

Vanshika Patil.