"I'm the firstborn, and I've been holding my breath for years" At 23, I have just begun to scratch the surface of the weight I am carrying on my shoulders. It seems like this is self-inflicted most of the time, but is it really? I have been conditioned my whole life to take care of everyone around me and not to complain about it because it is my duty. Being a firstborn is not about going first, or the authority-its about never getting it wrong. There is very little room for error. I am, and have to be the "blueprint", the "role model" and the one who has it all together. Taking a break is not an option because if I don't hold down the fort, who will? I've spent my entire life trying to exhale, but the pressure never lets me. My siblings are blessed. They get to learn from their mistakes but my mistakes are failures. I constantly wonder what it must be like to grow up without the pressure of aspiring for perfection....must be nice.i wo...