Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I’ll never know." – Elphaba
📖 What’s in this post? ✨ A Wicked-inspired journey: How I confronted fear and broke free from old rules. 🎯 Fun facts + books to love: Discover the deeper stories behind Wicked and Oz.
Let’s dive into a story of transformation—no broomstick required.
Sitting in the theater, watching Wicked in 3D, I felt an unexpected wave of emotion. Elphaba’s defiant anthem, Defying Gravity, echoed through the room, and it was as if her words reflected the transformation I’ve been living through over the past two years.
"Something has changed within me, something is not the same. I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game."
For the past 17 years, I lived within a structure that gave me purpose and direction. I felt safe in the boundaries it provided, even as I struggled to keep up with everything expected of me. Then, life threw us a curveball and everything changed.
At first, I was overwhelmed. These changes felt like a test of everything I believed. But slowly, I started to see that some of the things I’d been so afraid of were not only okay—they were, in some ways, better for my family and me.
"I’m through accepting limits ‘cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I’ll never know."
This shift wasn’t about walking away from anything. Instead, it became a process of reflecting on what truly matters—discerning between truths that ground me and the man-made rules that no longer served me. Letting go of some of those rules wasn’t easy. It meant facing fears, admitting I didn’t have all the answers, and being willing to grow.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that freedom often requires letting go. Not of everything, but of the fear that keeps us stuck, and the weight of expectations that aren’t truly ours to carry.
"Too late for second-guessing, too late to go back to sleep."
Elphaba’s journey resonated so deeply because it reminded me of the courage it takes to step outside the lines others have drawn for you. It isn’t about rebellion—it’s about finding balance, clarity, and love.
"It’s time to try defying gravity, and you can’t pull me down."
The past two years have been messy, humbling, and sometimes lonely. But they’ve also been freeing. I’ve had to confront what I feared most and trust that, even without a clear roadmap, I could move forward.
At the heart of all this is love—not the conditional kind that depends on approval or meeting expectations, but a deeper love that replaces fear with hope and connection. This isn’t always easy, especially when we live in a world that seems to thrive on fear.
There are always those—whether individuals, groups, or systems—who find power in creating enemies to unite people under a shared banner. Often, those with the least real influence or authority stoke these fears, offering a “common enemy” to rally against, diverting attention from the deeper issues at play.
It’s a tactic used throughout history: a way of binding people together, not through shared purpose or love, but through shared animosity. The trick is, it works. For a time. But this kind of unity, built on fear and division, is fleeting.
It distracts from the real change that’s needed and keeps us stuck in cycles of negativity and uncertainty. True transformation comes when we stop looking for enemies to blame and instead begin to let go of what holds us back.
"Kiss me goodbye, I’m defying gravity."
Watching Wicked reminded me of how far I’ve come and how much more there is to learn. It’s not about knowing exactly where I’ll land but having the courage to leap.
For anyone standing on the edge of change, unsure of what lies ahead, let go of what’s holding you down. Trust your instincts, choose love over fear, and dare to defy gravity.
Did You Know? (Fun Facts & Trivia)
Did You Know? The concept of the "Wicked Witch of the West" was inspired by an unexpected source: L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz(1900). The character of the Wicked Witch, later popularized by the 1939 film, is far more complex in Baum's books. In fact, the witch's backstory, much like in Wicked, is filled with motivations and desires that humanize her, showing that sometimes villains are simply misunderstood.
Did You Know? Wickedstarted as a novel by Gregory Maguire, published in 1995. It has since become a global Broadway phenomenon, but its roots are actually in a postmodern retelling of The Wizard of Oz. The novel explores darker, more mature themes like political corruption, moral ambiguity, and the struggle for freedom, offering a stark contrast to the whimsical world portrayed in the 1939 film.
Did You Know? The iconic green skin of Elphaba, the musical’s “Wicked Witch,” has an interesting origin. In the book, Elphaba is green because of a rare, mysterious condition that gives her a literal and symbolic ‘otherness’—a perfect representation of how society often marginalizes those who are different.
Books to Read if You Love Wicked (or The Wizard of Oz)
"Son of a Witch" by Gregory Maguire This is the sequel to Wicked, and it picks up where the story left off, exploring the complicated life of Elphaba's son. It's darker, with even more political intrigue and personal conflicts, perfect for those who can't get enough of Maguire's world.
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum The original classic novel that started it all. While it’s much lighter than Wicked, it offers a great perspective on the world of Oz, and understanding its themes will enrich your reading of Wicked.
"The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley If you love complex female characters and political intrigue, this retelling of the Arthurian legend from the perspectives of Morgaine (the Morgan le Fay character) and other women in the story will captivate you. It's often compared to Wicked for its exploration of misunderstood characters.
"The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern A magical and atmospheric tale, this novel is a good follow-up if you appreciate the lush world-building of Wicked. It's filled with mystery, complex characters, and an immersive narrative about two magicians who engage in a magical competition.
Comment: If you had to pick one Wicked song that represents your current mindset, which one would it be? Share your answer in the comments below and let’s chat about what it means to be ‘defying gravity’ in your own life!
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