Mar 18, 2023Liked by Paul Millerd, Michelle Elisabeth Varghese
Michelle, thank you for sharing your uplifting story with us! It's rich with love, vulnerability, and tender moments of humor. I especially love these power statements:
"My parents understand more than anyone that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can change the whole trajectory of not only your life, but of generations to follow." ❤️
"They have given me the tools to take risks and be my own safety net." 💥
"I'm My Own Safety Net" --> slogan for your podcast's merch t-shirt? (I would proudly wear it)
Mar 18, 2023·edited Mar 18, 2023Liked by Paul Millerd, Michelle Elisabeth Varghese
"Sometimes I wonder if I need to wear a shirt that says: I’M A GROWN WOMAN"
LOL, I feel the same way! 😂
"What do your parents think" is the most commonly asked question I get— as a solo-traveler spending 1+ year away from home.
I don't know. I can't speak for them nor will I speculate. I'm my own person. My parents are their own persons. If you want their opinion, then you gotta ask *them* :-)
Mar 19, 2023Liked by Paul Millerd, Michelle Elisabeth Varghese
Parents are parents. Pretty much anywhere. Even more so in Germany.
Love to see your dad wearing an Eintracht Frankfurt jersey, it's the football club of the city I grew up in.
Also it will never not be funny to read a post about parental approval of one's path including sabbaticals, and then your dad wearing a shirt with a jobs portal's tagline "FIND JOBS" on it.
Mar 19, 2023Liked by Paul Millerd, Michelle Elisabeth Varghese
Hi Michelle, I love this post.
"It was a small comment, but I felt the tightness in my chest as his question washed over me. It stung because despite my outwardly confidence in my decision, I felt unsure and insecure. " - resonated with this 100% and I think it is completely normal when you are going against the grain. Cheering for you on the journey
Jan 23Liked by Paul Millerd, Michelle Elisabeth Varghese
I love this post so much! You have a beautiful family. Your writing is amazing. I felt like I was right there with you. Many laugh out loud and memorable moments.
I think parents develop to be very risk adverse even when they have a child. It's in our nature to protect our children and anything that might mean hurt, it scares them. I still remember my parents angry at me for wanting to pursue Nutrition school (part-time, alongside my job). I think they are part of the generation that didn't have the abundance that we have. They weren't granted the privilege of the tech industry which allows you to jump from job to job with more to gain than to lose.
Thank you for sharing this article. I could relate to your story a lot. My parents took a lot of risks so that we didn't have to take any, and they see it as their role to protect us and shelter us from risk taking as much as possible. This, of course, does not exactly match my reality as an entrepreneur, and I need to remind myself that, as you say, whenever they are doubtful, they are coming out of fear, not out of disapproval.
Again, thanks for sharing your journey and reminding us to believe in ourselves and take the risk!
Love the highlight of one big bet described here ‘and still they placed all their bets on a move completely outside their comfort zone because they had faith...’
Parents questions will never stop, especially when moving abroad. You just get better at giving them insights in your life before they can see visit and see it for themselves!
Thank you for sharing your story, Michelle, so relatable and helpful.
Michelle, thank you for sharing your uplifting story with us! It's rich with love, vulnerability, and tender moments of humor. I especially love these power statements:
"My parents understand more than anyone that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can change the whole trajectory of not only your life, but of generations to follow." ❤️
"They have given me the tools to take risks and be my own safety net." 💥
"I'm My Own Safety Net" --> slogan for your podcast's merch t-shirt? (I would proudly wear it)
"Sometimes I wonder if I need to wear a shirt that says: I’M A GROWN WOMAN"
LOL, I feel the same way! 😂
"What do your parents think" is the most commonly asked question I get— as a solo-traveler spending 1+ year away from home.
I don't know. I can't speak for them nor will I speculate. I'm my own person. My parents are their own persons. If you want their opinion, then you gotta ask *them* :-)
Great essay, Michelle that talks to the tension between who we are when young and who we grow into as parents
Parents are parents. Pretty much anywhere. Even more so in Germany.
Love to see your dad wearing an Eintracht Frankfurt jersey, it's the football club of the city I grew up in.
Also it will never not be funny to read a post about parental approval of one's path including sabbaticals, and then your dad wearing a shirt with a jobs portal's tagline "FIND JOBS" on it.
Cheers!
-Johannes
Hi Michelle, I love this post.
"It was a small comment, but I felt the tightness in my chest as his question washed over me. It stung because despite my outwardly confidence in my decision, I felt unsure and insecure. " - resonated with this 100% and I think it is completely normal when you are going against the grain. Cheering for you on the journey
I love this post so much! You have a beautiful family. Your writing is amazing. I felt like I was right there with you. Many laugh out loud and memorable moments.
Wow this was a lovely read.
I think parents develop to be very risk adverse even when they have a child. It's in our nature to protect our children and anything that might mean hurt, it scares them. I still remember my parents angry at me for wanting to pursue Nutrition school (part-time, alongside my job). I think they are part of the generation that didn't have the abundance that we have. They weren't granted the privilege of the tech industry which allows you to jump from job to job with more to gain than to lose.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for sharing this article. I could relate to your story a lot. My parents took a lot of risks so that we didn't have to take any, and they see it as their role to protect us and shelter us from risk taking as much as possible. This, of course, does not exactly match my reality as an entrepreneur, and I need to remind myself that, as you say, whenever they are doubtful, they are coming out of fear, not out of disapproval.
Again, thanks for sharing your journey and reminding us to believe in ourselves and take the risk!
Last, but not least, some years ago, I read this article: https://dunn.medium.com/the-risk-not-taken-40cf0a8919cb
At that time, it was what I needed to read. Reading your story reminded me of it. You might enjoy it.
All the best
Love the highlight of one big bet described here ‘and still they placed all their bets on a move completely outside their comfort zone because they had faith...’
Parents questions will never stop, especially when moving abroad. You just get better at giving them insights in your life before they can see visit and see it for themselves!
Thank you for sharing your story, Michelle, so relatable and helpful.