Many of us grew up being told that being "good" was the ultimate goal. Especially if you are the child of immigrants or the first in your family to reach a certain professional level, you were likely raised to be helpful, respectful, and to never make waves.

Over time, that drive for excellence morphs into being a people-pleaser. You become the one who always says yes, always adjusts to others, and never says no.

For those of us who are first-gen professionals or children of immigrants, success has never been just about personal goals. It carries the weight of the sacrifices our families made, the risks they took, and the dreams they had for us. Growing up, we quickly realize whether we mean to or not that we aren’t just building our own lives; we’re continuing a family story.

There is a silent pressure teens carry- one that is always not spoken out loud yet shows up in thoughts, decisions, and causes self-doubt. It is a societal belief that teens should already know who they are, what they want, and where they are headed.  For some, the pressure is constant. For others, it sneaks in at different points in time when they are thinking about college, comparing themselves to others, or when asked about their future plans.