Now to be fair, the first 3-4 months were hell after losing 90% of my income. Watching my little bit of savings drain, doing sporadic odd jobs for friends and family for cash and eventually having to ask and borrow money from my parents for rent. The job search is always gruelling, but with mental health struggles I just kept pushing it back and figuring it out last minute. It felt like it aged me about 10 years.
But after moving back in with my parents (lease break after splitting with partner) my expenditures are down to car/phone bills and medication for essentials and flexible expenses of beer/cigs and gig tickets. Goes without saying, I’m in extraordinarily lucky to be in this position of financial security that I’m granted by my parents.
There is obviously a limit to the longevity of my situation. When living with parents you end up paying with your mental health. But f*** it feels nice that the little income I get goes straight to what I want. Very freeing in some (limited) aspects.
My father's ole lady passed away 2 months ago and he moved in with me. I'm super happy to have my dad living with me we are both getting up there in age and I can't think of anyone else on the planet I would like to spend more time with then him. Enjoy your time with your parents and dont take it for granted.
9
ima-bigdealApr 3, 2026
+2
Having lost my dad, I hope you cherish every moment with him. I hate that the last two times I saw him was seeing him in an ambulance, and then saying goodbye in the ER after he passed.
2
whowhynowApr 3, 2026
+1
As it happens, I am halfway through a paramedicine course right now. Even with health-nut parents I do feel like if had a significant shift in understanding how quickly and unpredictably someone’s health can turn to shit
1
whowhynowApr 3, 2026
+1
It’s been easier having that mindset with my grandparents who are all 94+ now. Appreciating time spent with them, not letting the smaller issues get in the way and making the effort for regular (even if it’s just short) time together. I’m working on that with my rents, which started from quite a strained relationship and has at times felt like a process that requires more sacrifice on my end. But yes more of an effort at maintaining some level of a relationship
1
ChallengeCuriousityApr 3, 2026
+8
I feel like that’s the part people don’t talk about, after the panic phase, there can be a weird sense of freedom for a bit.
Almost like a reset where you get to breathe again, even if it’s temporary. Are you thinking of it as a break or already planning your next move?
8
whowhynowApr 3, 2026
+3
The mental space you get is invaluable, it feels like what I imagine a highly enlightened Buddhist perceives. Definitely planning to find some work in the immediate future to start saving up for the moving process and emergency funds. I’m imaging kinda towards the end of the year to have a nice chunk of cash and also avoid extra stress with uni
3
Few-Dress5670Apr 3, 2026
+2
Yup, me too! Was unemployed, but back to living with parents paying a fixed, c**** rent. It’s not bad while saving for the next step! I’m almost 40, so definitely not where I planned to be, but life is always changing.
2
whowhynowApr 3, 2026
+3
It obviously sucks big time that it’s a similar experience for more than just the limited age group of younger adults who haven’t entered a “proper” career. But there is a part of me that feels good that it’s not just solely my actions which contribute to the struggle
3
PagodNaAkooooApr 3, 2026
+2
The Luxury of No Responsibility. After years of adulting and the stress of a breakup and job loss, having your basic needs met by your parents is a massive relief. It’s okay to lean into that free feeling for a minute.
2
Icy_Flatworm_1490Apr 3, 2026
+1
I still have bills but I truly enjoyed leaving my job instead of being mistreated, gave me time to focus on me, the toughest part is regardless my expenses are down that I still need money to fulfill my dreams, 2 months and I had things going for me but couldn’t afford to keep chasing
1
whowhynowApr 3, 2026
+1
The mistreatment part has always been a limiting factor for me. My brain struggles to handle the sacrifice of personal well-being for financial “gain”. I feel like there’s a healthy balance between time for yourself and time for others. Personally, I think I function better when I have a manageable amount of responsibilities for someone other than myself to fill the dead space between self care. But yea, money is such dominant factor in maintaining general well-being that for the vast majority. Financial security feels just as important as something like diet or sleep for good mental health
1
Icy_Flatworm_1490Apr 3, 2026
+1
You’re so right about the mistreatment part, I grew up thinking if you don’t provide financial then it’s a problem, the family I stay with now helped me grow out of that cause I’m wanted around regardless of money just cause the little things like walking the dogs help, and when I go out, I’m not scolded about it, so yes as long as you’re a good person you’re an asset, but I used up my savings because rent, phone bill, transportation, money doesn’t buy happiness it buys peace of mind, my happiness sometimes came from going out broke, and having fun and doing my stand up comedy, but the bills were paid, my phone worked and I could get home, people like us should make the goal be passive income, how do we continue to be happy and stress free without sacrificing time and sanity
1
Icy_Flatworm_1490Apr 3, 2026
+1
Also, after staying with family I would love for us all to stay together, my goal is too make that a viable option, my parents have there space, me and my kids have ours, and we are close enough to always reassure eachother about our worth, when live alone I tend to beat myself up a lot
1
whowhynowApr 3, 2026
+2
Totally agree. From what I’ve seen firsthand with my Greek family, my grandmother who moved to Australia and assimilated to society here has obvious disadvantages to my great auntie who still lived in the village in Greece. Missing out on that tight knit community, popping in for lunch, inter generational caring for children showed a significant decrease in wellbeing for my grandmother
2
Icy_Flatworm_1490Apr 3, 2026
+1
It is tough but community is what you make it, my friend group is from all over but I see that all our kids do better by having us all around, disadvantaged or not the only way to make it happen is by any means
1
Asleep_CharApr 3, 2026
+1
“Car, phone, beer, cigs, and gigs." The Quarter-Life Crisis Starter Pack.
Honestly, after the year you've had, you deserve a few months of being extraordinarily lucky. Most people are one paycheck away from disaster, so if your parents are willing to catch you, let them. Just don't be surprised when your mom starts asking why there's an empty beer can in the guest room at 11 AM. The Parental Tax is real and it usually comes in the form of unsolicited advice.
1
whowhynowApr 3, 2026
+1
It’s become a difficult balance of understanding my life experience. I gravitate towards more radical left circles so have some understanding of the inequalities many people face today, with the limits of an outside perspective. Still you can’t truly understand something more than you’ve experienced it, so from my perspective the lowest moments I’ve personally experienced still hit the hardest. My parents might not be great with mental health, but my parents are very happy to support me to let me put focus on things like study, mood and just generally enjoying life which is sick man
1
Cute_Cat_7170Apr 3, 2026
+1
Enjoy
1
a_booApr 3, 2026
+1
Work is overrated.
1
Good_Put_2953Apr 3, 2026
+1
Enjoy it while you can!
When the pandemic hit, I lost my job. I went home to my parents' house to ride out the pandemic, and I spent my days just decorating my parents' place, cooking for the family, and reading. It was bliss.
20 Comments