Most of us care what our parents think about us because we want to make them proud. That’s why, to a certain level, we allow our self-esteem to rely on what other people think. The problem with that is that we’re all different, so we all value different things. You and your parents have different personalities, opinions, likes, and dislikes, so it’s not possible to align with them all the time.
Sometimes you’ll make your own decisions and your parents won’t agree with them, but that’s fine as long as you are working on yourself. A parent’s love should be unconditional, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes parents express themselves or treat their kids in certain ways that make them feel like the only way to please them is by doing what they want.
That’s not the best way to live your life, though. The only thing you should do to make your parents proud is your best. Focus on the things in life you actually enjoy and excel at them, nurture good values, create good habits, and become the best version of yourself. That’s what should make your parents proud! With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you accomplish that.
5 Tips to not be a disappointment to your parents:
1. Do something you’re passionate about:
When it comes to deciding what to do with your life, you should pick something you feel passionate about. People who are passionate about something often do good for their community and the world, whether that’s on a small scale or a large one. Why wouldn’t that make your parents proud?
Whether you become a teacher to make a difference in children’s lives, or an inventor to help improve the world in some way, make sure that what you do with your life is something that is honorable and makes you happy. Channel your passion towards something worthwhile and you’ll earn the respect of the people in your life, including your parents.
2. Be kind:
Kind people make a big difference in the world and that’s a great way to make your parents proud. However, you shouldn’t be kind just for that reason, you should be kind because it’s the right thing to do and because you naturally have compassion for the weak, underprivileged and needy. Being a positive influence on the people around you, showing respect to everyone you meet, and helping in every way you can is always worthwhile.
You still have to protect yourself and your energy, of course, from harmful or mean people that try to harm or sadden you on purpose. So don’t feel like you can’t retaliate when someone willingly chooses to cross the line and disrespect you. However, make sure you never provoke anyone first.
This way you can be a light in this world as much as possible. Nurture the qualities that will help you be a better person, such as patience, respect, generosity, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and more.
3. Give back to your community:
Giving back to your community is another great way to make your parents feel proud. Supporting local causes and businesses, donating clothes, donating blood, and lending your skills to make a difference are great ways to be of value and take care of your community.
It’s not difficult to find ways to give back to your community, you just have to focus on where you can be of use and how you can help people around you based on your skills, strengths, and interests. You will grow a lot as a person while giving back and you will surely gain a lot of perspective on things.
4. Focus on your education:
Education is probably one of the goals you have for yourself that your parents encourage and want to do everything to help you achieve it. Granted, you may not agree on the career or degree you choose to study for and work hard for. Parents want us to do well in school, which is important even if it doesn’t feel like it when we’re young. They want us to eventually go to college so we can have a good career and a good life where we will be okay even if they were no longer around.
Now, not everyone wants to go to college and, in the modern world, it’s not necessarily a must for success because you can find knowledge and better options for a good income at the tip of your fingers. You can carve your own path and despite what any traditional or old person thinks, it is now proven that newish and modern careers like online freelencing proved to be viable options for the long-term.
However, if you decide to pursue a more traditional education or get a degree, make sure you take it seriously too. No matter what path you select and take make sure you put your all in it until you prove yourself and choice to yourself and to your parents!
5. Hold yourself accountable :
People make mistakes and fail, it’s a part of life and it’s how you learn a lot of important lessons. However, that learning process can’t happen if you don’t hold yourself accountable for the things you do wrong. Making excuses or shifting blame onto others is not a great thing to do.
If you want to make your parents proud, you should strive to be a trustworthy, reliable, and honest person. Hold yourself accountable and understand your failures and mistakes instead of sweeping them under the rug so you can achieve a lot more in life.
Conclusion:
Making your parents proud doesn’t have to be about doing what they want at the expense of your own desires. It should be about being a good person and building a good life.