Nostalgia is addicting, and it can be a serious drag, too. You spend half your time reminiscing about the “good old days” and the other half grumbling about your parents. But here’s the thing: if you find yourself relating to a bunch of these signs, your childhood might have been more awesome than you’re giving it credit for.
1. You can actually function as an adult.
Source: Unsplash If your bills are paid on time and your responsibilities are handled like a champ, you’re golden. This isn’t some miracle. Chances are, you picked up basic life skills and a solid work ethic from your family, making those adulting tasks a little less daunting. It can be overwhelming trying to juggle everything all the time, but you somehow manage to take it all in your stride.
2. You have a solid social circle.
Source: Pexels If you have real friends who stick by you, it probably stems from a childhood where you learned the value of genuine connections. Good friendships don’t grow on trees, and your support system likely has its roots in your upbringing. You learned early on the importance of friendship and of being a good friend, and it’s served you well throughout your life.
3. You’re not afraid to fail.
Source: Unsplash Remember all those skinned knees and failed projects? Your parents weren’t just letting you get hurt; they were teaching you that setbacks are a part of life. Resilience is a muscle you built during childhood.
4. Saying “I love you” isn’t awkward.
Source: Unsplash If healthy emotional expression was part of your childhood, you can probably say those three important words and mean them — to friends, partners, even the family you may sometimes take for granted. It doesn’t make you uncomfortable or shy. In fact, it’s something you do regularly and with ease.
5. You know how to have a healthy disagreement.
Source: Unsplash If you can argue respectfully, without yelling or storming off, that’s a valuable skill. Your parents didn’t just teach you their opinions, they probably modeled how to navigate disagreements with maturity. It’s okay to disagree. In fact, it’s actually beneficial at times. It’s just important to do it the right way — respectfully.
6. You have a sense of humor that doesn’t suck.
Source: Unsplash If you can laugh at yourself (and maybe even at your slightly crazy family), there’s a good chance humor was a coping mechanism around your house. It’s a great tool for resilience and helps you bounce back from tough times.
7. You don’t give up on yourself.
Source: Unsplash Even when things get tough, you somehow summon the stubbornness to keep going. That inner grit likely comes from knowing your parents were rooting for you, even when you made it hard for them. You know that some of the most successful people in the world heard “no” a whole lot before they got their first “yes.”
8. “Please” and “thank you” roll off your tongue.
Source: Unsplash Manners aren’t just about etiquette — they show that you respect people. If basic courtesy is second nature to you, thank Mom and Dad (or even Grandma or another caregiver) for instilling those values early on. Good social etiquette can take you loads of places in life, as Country Living points out.
9. You apologize when you mess up.
Source: Brooke Cagle/Unsplash Owning your mistakes is a huge sign of maturity. If you were raised in a home where apologies were expected and amends were made, those lessons guide you to this day. You can hold your hands up and take responsibility for your mistakes, and this makes you a much more pleasant person to be around.
10. You crave some form of personal growth.
Source: Unsplash Whether it’s hitting the gym, learning a language, or reading, you constantly want to better yourself. That drive for self-improvement? You may have seen it modeled at home.
11. You know how to manage your emotions.
Source: Unsplash When you’re stressed or upset, you don’t implode or disappear. Chances are, you learned healthy coping strategies and developed emotional regulation somewhere along the way, likely at home.
12. You can spot BS a mile away.
Source: Pexels If you have good instincts and can usually separate fact from fiction, there’s probably an element of critical thinking ingrained in you. Someone taught you to question things, form your own opinions, and avoid jumping on every crazy bandwagon.
13. You don’t feel completely lost in the world.
Source: Unsplash Navigating life can be confusing. But if you have a basic sense of direction and confidence in tackling the unknown, that sense of security probably stemmed from supportive figures in your childhood.
14. You set goals and actually make progress.
Source: Unsplash If you know how to break down tasks, stay motivated, and celebrate successes, those are skills likely ingrained during your formative years. You probably witnessed some form of this behavior while growing up.
15. You’re secretly kind of grateful.
Source: Unsplash Sure, your childhood wasn’t perfect, and you probably still roll your eyes at your parents’ antics sometimes. But deep down, you know they did some things right, shaping you into the resilient, semi-functional adult you are today.
