Unpacking the answer to this question requires acknowledging the socialized pressures and gender norms influencing us, particularly as women, to accept unwanted tasks and expectations. Despite the lack of an official playbook on womanhood, centuries of implicit and explicit gendered messages shape our responses. Familiar refrains like “good girls help others,” and “playing nice gets rewarded,” perpetuate our prioritizing others’ needs over our own. These narratives echo from childhood, family, work, and even friends, leading us to blur societal “oughts” with our genuine desires. The good news? We can dial down this noise and turn into our true wants to navigate our choices more authentically.