Getting Over the Stigma

Fact: It Won’t Always be Sunshine and Daisies

Since I’ve been living at home, I’ve had mixed feelings—depressed because I feel stuck at home and I can’t support myself, but sometimes thankful to have been able to improve my relationship with my parents. Sob stories are a dime a dozen, but there is nothing worse than a bunch of bomerangers whining about their lot in life? No, the job market isn’t the same as it was in 1980, and no, wages haven’t necessarily increased to support the cost of living. Yes, the research is true, we are being taught to sacrifice our dreams to pay bills. Guess what? Get. Over. It.

Survival Tips: When life doesn’t even give you a lemon—go out, find one, and make lemonade.

A) Seize the Opportunity: Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Make job searching your full-time job. Even though I am attending school still while at home, I am soon to graduate and apply to jobs on a constant, daily if not weekly, basis. There are some great tips out there on how to get started.

B) Learn From Other Cultures: Here’s the deal- In most other cultures, and even more recently in Canada, you have multiple generations living under the same roof. This isn’t weird to them, and it also isn’t something to be ashamed of. Obviously they were doing something right. Check out this research article to see how they succeeded by emphasizing family values and care for one another. 

C) Don't Let the Stigma Exist: Many researchers and sociologists report that with the rise of boomerang kids, the stigma that previously existed with it is diminishing. Enter and exit your childhood home everyday with your head held high.

Lastly, Don't ever forget to laugh.