Phyna sat in the break room, sipping her coffee as she watched yet another one of her male colleagues tie the knot. It seemed like every few months, there was a new wedding announcement from one of the guys in the office. Meanwhile, the women she worked with remained single, and she couldn’t help but wonder why.

As she chatted with her female colleagues, Phyna found herself asking them the same question over and over again – why are they still single while the men in the office were getting married? The answers she received were varied, but they all shared a common theme – the pressure to find a partner and settle down was weighing heavily on their minds.

One of her colleagues, Sarah, explained to Phyna that she had been in a long-term relationship that ended badly, causing her to be wary of entering into another serious commitment. Another, Lisa, confided in Phyna that she felt like she was constantly being judged for her single status, as if there was something wrong with her for not being married by a certain age.

As Phyna delved deeper into conversations with her female colleagues, she realized that the pressure to find a partner and get married was deeply ingrained in their upbringing and societal expectations. From a young age, women are often taught that their worth is tied to their relationship status, and that being single is seen as a failure.

Phyna couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the double standard that seemed to exist in their office. While her male colleagues were celebrated for finding love and starting families, the women were made to feel as though they were lacking something if they were still single.

She decided to use her frustration as motivation, and spearheaded a discussion about the topic in their office. She not only felt it was important for her female colleagues to feel heard and understood, but also for the men in their office to gain a better understanding of the pressures and stereotypes that women face when it comes to their relationship status.

As they talked, Phyna and her colleagues began to unpack the societal expectations that had been placed on them, and they realized that they had been internalizing these pressures without even realizing it. They shared personal stories and experiences, and by the end of the discussion, Phyna felt a sense of empowerment and solidarity among her female colleagues.

By bringing the topic to the forefront, Phyna hoped to break down the stereotypes and expectations that often plague women when it comes to their relationship status. She also hoped to encourage her female colleagues to embrace their single status and live their lives on their own terms, without being defined by their relationship status.

Phyna knew that change wouldn’t happen overnight, but she was hopeful that their discussion had planted the seed for a shift in attitudes and perceptions. She also hoped that it had opened the door for more open and honest conversations about the pressures and stereotypes that women face when it comes to their relationship status.

As Phyna sat in the break room, watching yet another one of her male colleagues get married, she felt a sense of peace and empowerment knowing that she and her female colleagues were no longer defined by their relationship status. They were strong, independent women who were living their lives on their own terms, regardless of societal expectations.