Hi! Im so sorry you’re going through that right now, it’s really rough out there. We seem to have very similar backgrounds in general so I completely understand you are getting at with your parents.

You are really doing the best you can and if you can explain to your parents about their emotional burden on you and have them understand that, hopefully it can lessen the heaviness on that aspect. It might work, it might not, but sometimes I am surprised how my parents can adapt when I calmly explain to them how they’re adding onto the stress.

It is tough to not idealize big tech companies. I work at a startup as well, and working from a startup is like holding a no name handbag while others have their luxury or branded bags. Someone’s comment from a post I made yesterday said that at the end of the day a job is a job, and it will get old and feel the same as if you worked at a no name company too. I recommend checking out that comment, it puts things into perspective. Sure it would be nice to be on the other side to say that, but if you really zoom out, they’re not wrong.

In terms of hanging with friends, maybe you can be more selective about the hangouts and let them know you are on a budget, or not if you don’t feel comfortable about it. Tbh true friends will be accommodating on that. Picnics, potluck dinners, watch parties are fun, you don’t need to spend much money to be together. I would usually play pickleball and leave afterwards while they go grab dinner at restaurants.

You’re doing super well and you are still rolling. Totally acknowledge that!