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6 Things Our Parents Never Talked About That We Overanalyze Now

Ah, the joys of adulthood! You finally get to experience the freedom of making your own choices, but then you find yourself deep in thought about stuff your parents never bothered to mention. It’s funny how the things that seemed so benign in our childhood suddenly morph into tangled webs of overanalysis. Let’s chat about six of those topics that have us scratching our heads and wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same existential crisis.

Loving couple holding sparklers at the beach during sunset, sharing a romantic moment.
Photo by Ankit Patel

1. Money Management

Your parents probably handed you an allowance and told you to save some for a rainy day, but did they ever sit you down for a real talk about budgeting? Nope! Fast forward to adulthood, and you’re staring at your bank statement like it’s a cryptic code. You wonder if that overpriced avocado toast is really the reason you can’t afford a house. Spoiler alert: it’s not just the toast. It’s a complex mix of expenses, income, and that pesky thing called student debt.

Money management can feel like a game you didn’t know you were supposed to learn until you were already in the middle of it. So, we overanalyze every purchase, questioning if we should have opted for the generic brand or if that subscription service is actually worth it. It’s a lot to unpack, but hey, at least we get to enjoy those spontaneous coffee runs, right?

2. Relationships and Dating

Remember when your parents told you love is all about finding “the one”? Well, they might’ve left out a few chapters from that fairy tale. Dating today feels like an Olympic sport, complete with emotional gymnastics and a whole lot of swiping left. You’re left overanalyzing every text, wondering if a three-hour delay in response means they’re just busy or if they’ve already ghosted you.

We dissect every date like it’s a scene from a rom-com, searching for signs of compatibility or red flags. What did he mean by “Let’s hang out”? Is that code for “I’m not that into you”? It’s exhausting, and sometimes you just wish your parents had given you the scoop on how to navigate this wild world of dating. A little guidance could go a long way!

3. Mental Health

“Just tough it out” or “You’ll be fine” were likely the go-to phrases you heard from your parents whenever you faced emotional struggles. But now, as adults, we’re realizing how important it is to talk about mental health. Suddenly, we’re overanalyzing our moods, trying to figure out if that little twinge of sadness is just the Monday blues or something deeper.

We might roll our eyes at self-care trends, but deep down, we know we need to pay attention to our mental well-being. It’s all about finding that balance between acknowledging our feelings and not spiraling into a full-blown existential crisis every time we feel a little off. So, let’s chat about therapy, mindfulness, and how it’s okay to admit that we’re not always okay.

4. Career Choices

Your parents probably encouraged you to pursue your dreams, but did they ever explain that those dreams often come with a side of uncertainty? Now you’re juggling a job you like (mostly) with the reality that your “dream career” might not be all it cracked up to be. Cue the overanalysis: Should I have taken that corporate job? Am I doing enough? Is it too late to become a professional dog walker?

We find ourselves pondering every decision we’ve made, wondering if we’ve taken the wrong path. The pressure to succeed can feel overwhelming, especially when your friends seem to have it all figured out. But remember, it’s okay to take a step back and reassess your goals. Life isn’t a race, even if it sometimes feels like everyone else is sprinting ahead.

5. Self-Image and Body Positivity

Growing up, many of us heard that beauty is only skin deep, but let’s be real—the world is obsessed with looks. Our parents might not have talked about it, but we’re left to navigate the complicated waters of self-image on our own. Now, we’re overanalyzing every outfit and scrutinizing our reflection like we’re auditioning for a reality show.

Social media certainly doesn’t help, either. You scroll through your feed, comparing yourself to influencers and friends alike, wondering if you should’ve hit the gym harder or skipped dessert.