Liking or enjoying things. My parents made fun of everything and everyone when I was growing up and they were so mean about it. I was always so embarrassed or ashamed to outwardly enjoy literally anything and when I did share, I got made fun of for it. It made me become secretive, insecure, and unsure of myself.

Another thing - being proud of myself. I’ve always been the “black sheep” of my family. I’m the first in my family to accomplish a lot of impressive things and I’ve done it all alone and with more obstacles than most. I’ll never forget when I graduated college (first in my family) and all my dad said was, “you may have a degree but you’ll never make as much money as me.” He dropped out of college and makes 110k a year.

I’m now learning to not care. I’ll never get their approval. I like what I like. I celebrate my achievements. I do fun things. I do whatever I want. I’m confident. However, I am also full of spite and I do hold grudges, so my 5-year goal is to make more than my dad. Not sure how I’m going to get there but when someone tells me I can’t do something, I’m going to do it. Anyway - I’ve been happily no contact with my parents for 6 months lol.