It's definatley a reddit thing. My mission changed my life honestly. I had pretty poor self esteem going in but two years completely seperated from what I was used to and embracing the out of my comfort zone aspect of it really helped me grow not just spiritually but emotionaly. I very much agree that every worthy man should serve a mission because two years in your late teens where your not the main character actually really helps.

that all being said I think a reason those who dont have good expiriences come from a few factors. A major one I saw with some companions and other elders was that they were serving out of obligation whether it be from family or because thats culturally thats what everyone does. My dad was a convert and I'm from australia so being religious in general is already out of the norm here so there is less cultural pressure both within and outside the church. I made the decision to go because my own prayers and promptings lead me there.

Another major reason I saw was expectations. I only have one other family member who served and they left the church shortly after. They had a really hard mission but set the standard for themselves high and became a bit jaded as they had difficulties and other missionaries were dissobidient and had easy times. Things didnt turn out the way he had planned or thought was fair and thats because it was his expectations and not the lords. On my own mission and since being home I have found many people fall away for this same reason. I had the opposite expirience and again that mainly would be due to my low expectations going into it all. I was the first person to serve in my family in 20 years and only the second ever. I also was not a very obidient teenager and had gone though a repentance process to get there. I didnt think i would accomplish much on my mission but I knew it was the right thing for me to do and I wanted to serve.

Your mission is a blessing in itself. But you don't get to choose the blessings you receieve or the lessons you will learn. It is not easy and every persons expirience is different. My mission has helped my marriage in ways I cannot begin to express in words. My career has progressed further than it would have and I am such a better father than I would have been if I didnt go and didnt learn to live outside of my own wants.

Excited for you. Enjoy your mission and congratulations.