If I had a dollar for every time someone called me a spoiled brat or “daddy’s princess”, I’d be so rich.
Do I have a lot? Yes, I do. Did my parents pay for all of it? A lot, yes, but also no.
Was I born with a silver spoon in my mouth and never had to work a day in my life for anything? Depending on who’s reading this, some might say yes and others would say no.
Here’s the thing, just because I have a lot of expensive and material items doesn’t mean I’m shallow or don’t know what hardwork is.
Here are my confessions from a girl who people think has it all:
- I didn’t always have it easy. As with anyone, my parents fought all the time growing up, but not everyone discovered their dad cheating on their mom at 6 years old…with their best friends’ mom. Not that I knew what cheating was at that age, but it still stuck with me throughout my childhood.
- My parents sacrificed a lot. While my parents struggled emotionally and financially while I was growing up, they made sure my brother and I would have an adequate private school education so we could get into a great college and make a living. There were nights my parents would skip dinner so my brother and I could eat. They worked long ass hours to provide for us.
- My parents made me work. When I turned 16, my parents didn’t necessarily cut me off. In fact, it was far from that. They told me if I wanted new clothes or shoes or the hottest purse of the moment, I would have to get a job. So I did.
- I was bullied. A lot. Yeah, yeah, here’s the cliche I was bullied story. But guess what? Bullying leaves a lasting impression on you. I was bullied for my weight, I was bullied for being a lesbian because I played softball instead of dance (I’m not even a lesbian. And there’s nothing wrong with being one either). Among other things…if you’ve been there, you know it sucks.
- I’m almost 21 and have worked since I was 16. That new laptop I have? I paid for it. The new and (kinda) expensive outfits? I saved for that for months. The new iPhone? Monthly payments. Paying for college? I’ve got $150k+ in loans that this lucky girl gets to pay back when she graduates.
- I suffer emotionally. No one knows what is happening behind my apparently “spoiled” social media posts. Nobody knows, unless you’re my best friend, that I suffer from severe anxiety and depression. Nobody knows that I’m questioning my self worth almost every night as I’m trying to fall asleep. Nobody knows that I’ve been going to therapy once a week for the last year and a half.
- Material items don’t make things better. While shopping and spending money might temporarily fill the void I feel (I have a bad habit of shopping when I’m depressed), it doesn’t make life better. Because at the end of the day, all I have is a bunch of expensive shit that doesn’t mean anything.
I have love from my parents, but I don’t have many friends. I don’t have a boyfriend that I get to come home to and hear how much he loves me. The saying “the best things in life are free” is so beyond true.
My parents worked their asses off to provide my brother and I what they could. As we grew up, my dad started working side jobs to pay for the extras for our family. He’s actively sought out promotions at his job to earn more money. Now? My family lives comfortably. The things I couldn’t do when I was little because my parents struggled to put food on the table for everyone, we are doing now.
And I shouldn’t have to feel bad for posting about my life. My parents taught me that hardwork will get you far in life, but money can’t buy happiness. And it’s so true. So, please, before you say I’m a spoiled bitch, get to know me before you judge me. I’m not judging you, so please don’t judge me.
Oh, one last thing: TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off 5th, and BlueFly. Y’all better believe I’m a bargain shopper.
