Just an ounce of respect...
That's all I really want.
To be treated like a human being, with feelings, thoughts, interests, goals, hopes, and insecurities.
This is not what I get from my parents. This is why they make me so miserable. I am almost 23 years old, and I'm treated like I'm five. Like I don't know what I'm doing. I am not allowed to make my own choices. To them, everything I do is wrong, or a waste of time. There is no compromising. No effort to understand. They are right, and I am wrong. Always wrong.
I don't even know why it matters so much to me. I hate that it does. My life has revolved around just trying to be good enough. I've done what I'm supposed to do. I was a well behaved kid, growing up. I didn't get into trouble - ever. I got good grades. The few friends I did have were decent people who also didn't cause trouble. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. I don't stay out late at night. I don't sleep around. I don't do anything dangerous. I'm in a long-term, stable relationship with a good guy that my parents like. I went to college, and graduated with good grades. I've gotten a job before, and I did well at it. Lately I've been working on my art, because I know that even though art commissions don't replace having a job, earning some money is better than earning no money. Aside from that, I'm still doing what I can to look for another job. And I have skills that I know I can use to do my job well once I can land one.
Is that not what a parent wants for their kid?
What the hell have I done that has not been enough for them?
I'm not perfect. I never will be. Even if I could be, none of it matters. Nothing will ever make them respect me.
So why do I try?