My parents always lived far away, leaving me in the care of my grandparents when I was a child because of their demanding jobs. Though they werent struggling financially, they consistently prioritised their careers over spending time with me. Because of this, I grew much closer to my grandparents, who encouraged and supported me throughout my life.
When I turned eighteen, I inherited two flats, giving me the chance to show my parents I could manage on my own. I sold the flats and used the money to buy a house in the city where I was studying at university. During my years at university, my parents remained distant; I became used to their absence.
Sadly, my grandparents passed away while I was at university, leaving me feeling even more disconnected from my parents. In truth, they contributed very little to my upbringing or life in general. Our lack of a meaningful relationship made it difficult for me to make time for them, just as they had struggled to make time for me when I was a child.
When my parents expressed disappointment that they hadnt received any of the money from the sale of the flats, I felt no obligation to share it with them. In my mind, they hadnt been there during the most important moments of my life, and now I was putting my own needs first. I brushed aside their complaints about my lack of time for them, having learned to prioritise work and my own wellbeingjust as they had done.
My response to their protests was simple: Im busy at work, I have no time. In my eyes, they above all people should understand the demands a career can place on someone, since this was the path they had chosen long ago. Focusing on my own life and ambitions became my way of coping with their absence and placing my happiness and fulfilment above all else.
Over time, I have realised that while work and ambition matter, its the relationships and time spent with loved ones that truly shape and support us. I hope never to lose sight of those connections, so that I dont repeat the same mistakes in the future.
