I have lived a fairly comfortable life, and have always have had very supportive parents. But when it came to things I want, they wouldn’t just hand them to me, I had to find a way to work for it. At the time I may have thought it was unfair, but looking back now I am so thankful they didn’t because I wouldn’t nearly have the work ethic I have today than if they did.
My parents would say that if I wanted something, I need to go after it and figure it out myself. The best way to learn is experience and basically, that is what they were telling me to do. Specifically, in college I wanted to move off campus my sophomore year and live in a house with my friends. My parents told me I could, but that I would have to pay for it. Realizing that I couldn’t afford it at all, I decided to wait. (It sucked and I did have FOMO, but I’m glad I waited) Even when I wanted a new phone, they told me I had to pay for it, so I saved up, bought one in full, and I appreciated it so much more because I paid for it myself.
When it became the time where I had the money to sign for an apartment, I did so, comfortably. Again, I appreciated it so much more because I worked and paid for it myself.
There is nothing wrong with getting things handed to you, but make sure you understand that it isn’t easy to get what you want, and delayed gratification is far more rewarding than instant. I’m so glad my parents didn’t hand everything to me, because it has made me a much more responsible adult in the long run. Like my dad always tells me, “you make your own luck” and if you want something, you have to figure out a way to get it. Though mine are small victories compared to other people’s stories, but they are victories in growing as an adult.
