All the kowtowing to "expectations" means nothing in the end if you're so miserable you can't enjoy any of the benefits you could possibly get from it.

I had to decide once to choose between the limited scope of my reach as a soldier and the needs of people I could help if I was my own authority. It was difficult because some part of me always expected to have a higher authority to answer to and going it alone often meant being looked down on by those who had a negative impression of guilds but I honestly don't regret my decision.

I think you should do what's best for you in the long run, not what's going to make others happy.