After I graduated college, published my first book and ran out of money, I made a crucial career decision.
Time to move back in with my parents.
For two years, eight months and twenty-nine days, to be exact.
Not that I was counting.
But they were cool about it. They even charged me rent, which I thought was solid parenting move. Every month, I paid them the amount of never getting dates.
Seriously. As if wearing a nametag wasn’t bad enough. Ever tried seducing a woman while your mom is yelling from upstairs to ask if you want asparagus with your salmon?
Dial tone.
I used to tell girls, “Yeah I have these two roommates. Older married couple. Super nice. Kind of look like me.”
Fail.
But apparently there’s name for this trend, we’re called boomeragers. After a period of living on our own, young people choose to cohabitate with their parents to save money, cope with economic downturns and eliminate any possibility of a social life whatsoever.
It wasn’t always good for business. I remember one particular speech I gave to a large financial company. When I finished, the audience gave me the first standing ovation of my career.
It was a beautiful moment that I’ll never forget.
Until my client walked up to me, shook my hand and said, “Good thing you’re not still living with your parents, huh?”
Right.
So there was always an asterisk with every win. This subtle undercurrent of not-enough-ness that kept me from feeling completely successful. And I knew that until I moved out on my own, until I let go of that security blanket, I would never be okay with myself.
But I’m not complaining. I never regret a single day living at home. I was grateful to have parents that loved me and who were willing to disrupt their empty nest lifestyle to support me as I started my career.
They’re not good parents, they’re heroic.
And when I started earning enough to move out, they lovingly helped me pack my bags.
What more can a kid ask for?
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
Who’s got your back?
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Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author, Speaker, Publisher, Artist, Mentor
[email protected]
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