ChaoticJourney

For a while there, I have been contemplating this idea of forced choice. It is easier for someone to say that everything we do in life is our own decision- that we always have the option to choose A or B or C. And yes, blaming other people for our choices can sometimes be misconstrued as immaturity or cowardice. While I partly agree with this. Ultimately, we decide to act in a particular way. Yet somehow there also exists this undeniable notion of ‘forced choice’, where we are bound by our circumstances or the people in our lives. Nonetheless, every now and then, we really do not necessarily have free will, but are placed under a microscope and told to pick one option, which is more often than not the only single alternative available. 

In a society where people are still obliged to perform certain tasks due to their environment, socio-economic status, financial burden, trauma, family, expectations, lack of self-awareness, or literally a million more reasons, not everyone can freely live the way they deem fit. This isn’t merely an opinion- rather, it’s evident in the world we see today, even within the most self-proclaimed developed economies. 

Forced choice narrows down the options. It eliminates the unwanted ones and leaves us with the perplexity of deciding on the most convenient option given our circumstances. This indeed poses a greater risk of choosing something we clearly don’t want, but are bound by the happenings around us. So, now my question is: when this happens, is it really our fault, or are we sometimes allowed to pass on the blame? 

Could there be one answer? Perhaps not. From my perspective, life is not black and white; it is filled with grey areas, loopholes, and contradictions. And let’s be honest, without them, our lives would be straightforward, narrow, and suffocating. It’s not a debate with a set conclusion. What truly matters is that we are aware of our actions and accept responsibility for the roles we play in the story of our own lives. However, this does not negate the fact that circumstances and people can be exempted from assuming accountability. Sometimes, blame ought to be acknowledged and directed outwards, not as an excuse but as a recognition of the harm that wreaks havoc on someone’s life, whether intentional or unintentional. 

So, I would like to leave it with you, dear readers, is there ever just one answer? Or are we allowed to shift our perspectives and admit that no today is similar to yesterday and no tomorrow will be identical to today?