For starters, you’re going to die. I assure you of this. I’m not saying to off yourself. I’m not saying you’ll be plagued with illness. Just that death is inevitable.
To the younger folks here. .. the teens and such. Well, I’m not trying to minimize your struggles, your feelings….but they’re so small. Someday you’ll see that. High school is so meaningless in the grand scheme. Parents suck, for one, that’s how it’s supposed to be. For two, you don’t have to stay attached to them. Shortly, you can go forge a path. No love interest? What’s the odds of actually staying with a hs significant long term? Pretty fucking slim. So yeah, there’s so many changes ahead. So many unknowns.
To those post HS folks. Starting to forge their paths but unsure. Disregard anyone who says follow your passions, heart, etc. Do what’s easy. Trust me. If you love working on cars, keep that love. Get a job doing something else. Something you find simple. Also, and this is crazy… you can’t have it all. I’m sorry. There’s so many luxuries in life, learn to prioritize. Essential for survival, essential for happiness… keep them separate.
To the the older folks. The ones who know what I’m saying, or laugh because their wisdom trumps mine. Well, we’re getting to that point where it’s really just a waiting game.
15 comments
Great post Alan Ominus. Couldn’t agree more.
Thanks. I’ve been reflecting a bit. Especially on my teenage years, early 20s. How much undue stress. Such a short time later… none of it means anything.
That’s is so true. I remember those years and I actually miss them. Things were so much simpler (at least to me). Now every day is a struggle…
Post HS user here, forging my path as you say. Not being attached to my parents is hard. I owe them all the money they spent on raising me. They constantly nag me for money, so however long it takes to pay off what they feel is an appropriate sum, they will always own me. MANY MORE YEARS, so you’re wrong on that
I find this odd. What is your region/culture? I ask because I’ve never heard of anyone being obligated to their parents for that. Quite frankly, if either of my parents asked for reimbursement for my expenses as a child, I’d have died laughing.
Vietnamese, I was born and raised in Canada. Parents have been here for 4 decades. I don’t think it’s a cultural thing, as my cousins don’t have to pay anything back. I think it’s cause they’re psycho
Also, I had a Quebecois friend whose parents also demanded a monthly sum until an indefinite date
Although loyalty is admirable, I would argue that once you become an adult, absolutely no one owns you.
Your parents chose to spend money raising you, and you had little choice over their decision.
Now that you have grown up, you get to decide for yourself how much influence they have.
They shouldn’t be nagging you for money.
But when they do, you are allowed to tactfully say no.
People don’t owe their parents money just for raising them.
Gratitude and love and respect, perhaps, depending on what did or didn’t happen during childhood …
But not money.
Love and respect was not provided for me as a child, only money for school, food, and essentials, so I don’t pay them any love, just money
If they didn’t give you love and respect, then you owe them absolutely nothing.
That’s absurd… I can see, as I’ve done before, an agreement to payback some money. A car, or repairs , or some kind of loan.
But to say, well… I spent $500 a month providing you with life, for 16 years, so you owe me $96,000 plus interest. I’d laugh, I’d laugh maniacally. Then I’d begin research of the the absolute shadiest retirement home available and wait for my revenge.
I was talking to a bartender/server the other day who is around her late 20’s. She’s been through some tough times and been screwed over by people, but she always gets back on her feet… and she said that even though she knows there’s other things she could do, she loves her job and she’s not planning to quit anytime soon.
It’s heartening to hear that, somehow. Life isn’t easy, but if you can be happy with how you’re making money, or at least have enough in your life to occupy yourself with in your free time… then I guess you’ll have a reason to go on.
Sad as it is, this is all 100% true.
Great post alan, as one of the older folks, I have wanted to impart a similar sentinent to the younger generation. But everytime I did I sounded like a dick. ! U nailed it man, thanks for posting this. It made me smile for some reason. Cheers
I can pick my friends, I can pick my family. I can pick my nose.
I can choose to pick friends, family and nose all at once.
Oh and the weggie that I have since I gained too much weight and now my favorite shorts are a little snug.