Emotion: fear
Problem: academic pressure
Situation: Parent have been forcing me into something (a major) that i don't really enjoy. Now I don't know if I can continue for my masters. Would I fail?

assistant: Hi there, how is life treating you today?

user: Hey. I'm doing fine. I guess really stressed.

assistant: I am so sorry to hear that. What are you feeling stressed about specifically?

user: My parents are kinda putting a lot of pressure on me to continue my education. I already got my bachelors, and I'm ok with getting my masters. But I really don't know if I want to get my Doctorate. I'm in a major that I kind of like. I'm not ambitious about.

assistant: If your heart is not in it then it does not seem worth taking the extra three (at least) years. Do you have a profession you want to go into?

user: I honestly don't know what I want to do in life. I don't really know anymore what I actually like. My parents really pressured me to choose what they thought is best ever since I was young. It's really hard to make delicious on my own now when someone has been telling you something all thought your years.

assistant: I hear you :( I've been through that too. It can be hard to break away and stand against such a thing.

user: I'm sorry you felt the same way. It sucks :/ I feel a lot of pressure to please them, and I'm scared to voice my opinion. because whenever I try to talk to them, they always shun me down saying I don't know any better.

assistant: It sounds to me like it might be better for you to get away from them and form your own career and life. Yes it is very difficult to standing up for yourself if you're being emotionally bullied.

user: I am actually very far away from them! ( a different county to be exact). But I skype with them regularly. Because you know parents miss you.

assistant: Ah .. that makes it both more complicated and more simple. At the very least you are living independently Do you have financial independence as well?

user: But I still feel like I have to please them and make decisions based on what I say. I guess it's like abuse but it a different context. I always worry that what I do may not please them.

assistant: Have you tried talking to them about how you feel or do you feel that they would not listen to you?

user: I do. It's kinda complicated because when COVID hit I lost my job and they were supportive saying they would help me out until I got back on my feet. They don't hold that against me, thankfully. I have. Let me explain more

assistant: Okay I am happy to listen :)

user: Thank you : ) I went to therapy for 4 years when I was away from them. 2 months ago I got the courage to talk to them about how I felt. It was to a point where I couldn't function anymore. They listened and said they are sorry. And it was all good for a while until it seems like they went back to the same thing again.

assistant: It is great that you at least did get up the courage to approach them - that is a brilliant first step.

user: I come from a family who don't have a lot of ambitious in life. Talking about my cousins and aunts. So my parents really focused on my to be the perfect individual.

assistant: Ah that might help explain things. So they are pinning the hopes of the whole family on you because you are academically successful?

user: My dad also regrets not being able to continue his studies because of my grandparents wrong doings. He had to leave school. Academically and musically. IDK other talents I guess.

assistant: I wonder if you could suggest to your dad that he goes back to school himself rather than living through you?

user: Like as a whole human being I should be perfect.

assistant: I hope I have been able to be of help to you but I am afraid I need to see someone else now. Thank you for talking though and I wish you all the very best in future

user: Ok. Thank you for your time. Have a good one.

assistant: you too! Can you press quit first as it has to be done from your end :)

user: Oh sorry. I thought I just did.