Dear Rachel:

You wrote: “They (your parents) want me to make money so I can help support them and the rest of my family”- this is their self interest, what they want- for you to support them financially.

“when all I ever really wanted to do was have a career where I could be happy and make a difference in the world”- this is your self interest: to be happy and make a difference in the world.

“Where to go from here”?, the title of your thread. I vote for what you want, the second part: have “a career where (you) could be happy and make a difference in the world.”

If you go for what they want, they will be pleased and you will be angry and miserable. If you go for what you want, you have a chance to make your life worth living, to look forward to the next day.

It is toxic (the word you used) to sacrifice your well being so to please others. Those who want you to sacrifice your well being do not deserve your sacrifice. As a matter of fact, no one deserves that you sacrifice your well being.

The distress that you will feel displeasing your parents is much smaller than the distress that you will feel, long term, if you please them.

Your life is yours to live as you choose, according to what you value- this is your true responsibility.

anita