It's pretty much an indisputable fact that our the people who raise us have a big impact on who we become as adults. Of course, this is not to say that we all turn out exactly like our parents or guardians, but rather that their values and perspectives shape the people we become. This is why the signs your parents raised you to follow your dreams are often so closely tied to your parents raising you as a feminist.
If your parents raised you with feminist values, they probably held strong to the belief that you were just as smart, capable, and talented as the other kids in the room, regardless of your sex, gender identity, or background. They likely also raised you to feel comfortable asking questions, using your voice, and challenging ideas and structural systems that dictate your world. At the end of the day, they likely raised you to value yourself and see yourself as a worthwhile, important person who should be treated with respect and care — and that everyone else in the world are also worthwhile and important who deserve to be treated with respect and care, too. Even if you disagreed with them.
When it comes to following your dreams, this is definitely going to mean different things to different people. For some people, following your dreams means establishing financial security and putting down roots. For others, it's traveling the world and finding adventure wherever you can. No matter what your specific dreams are, though, I think you're likely to connect to the following traits of people whose parents or parental figures raised them to follow their dreams, no matter what:
1. You Shoot For Your Dream Job
No matter what your dream job is, if your parents taught you to believe you could accomplish anything, it's likely you're going after your dream job full-speed. Internships, part-time jobs, summer studies — whatever it takes. Of course, just starting out, even the most motivated people often begin at the bottom of the chain and have to work their way up. But if your parents raised you to follow your dreams, you're unlikely to let your ideal position or career pass you by just because it's a long process to get there or in competitive field.
2. You Aren't Afraid To Hit The Road
If your parents raised you to follow your dreams, I'm betting you're someone who isn't afraid to travel. For some of us, this means international flights and long trips abroad. For others, exciting travel can be met just by crossing state borders, or heck, even just checking out a new location in your area for a few days. The point is that no matter where you want to go, you have the faith that you can get there and explore it for your own fulfillment and enjoyment.
3. You Don't Settle In Relationships
A happy, loving relationship is a genuine dream for a lot of people. After all, we grow up with relationships being the central theme explored in many TV shows, movies, and books. And hey, there is nothing wrong with wanting a fulfilling relationship! But if your parents raised you to follow your dreams, it's likely you already know just how many fish there are in the proverbial sea, and that you don't need to "settle" in a relationship and feel unhappy because of it. If your parents raised you as a feminist, they likely raised you to value your own happiness and prioritize yourself as much as you would anyone else, and sometimes that means recognizing when a relationship just isn't the right fit and moving on. Even if a relationship might seem fine, if it's not exactly what you want, it's OK to end it.
4. You're Goal Orientated
If your parents raised you to follow your dreams, it's likely they embedded in you the importance of goal setting. While you may certainly have daydreams that are unlikely to go anywhere (personally, I love detailing the layout of my dream tropical island), it's likely you're also goal orientated and use that organization to plan the next steps of your life. For a lot of people, goals reinforce the idea that your plans and hopes matter and will eventually come to fruition, so when you commit time and energy to them, you're giving credence to the notion that they can, in fact, be achieved.
5. You're At Peace With Your Decisions
If your parents taught you to follow your dreams, it likely instilled a sense of confidence and good self-esteem in you for the long-term. Of course, everyone has bad days when it comes to how we perceive ourselves, but if your parents taught you that you are ultimately a good, important person who has value and contributes to the world every moment you exist in it, it's likely you feel a level of satisfaction with your decisions overall. Everybody makes mistakes, and everyone has regrets, but if you're someone who follows their dreams, you likely already know that these slip-ups don't make you a bad person or a failure, and that the ups and downs are all part of the journey.
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