Growing up, we’re told all sorts of things to keep us safe, happy, and motivated. But what about when the truth comes crashing down, shattering our illusions? Sure, finding out Santa isn’t real might have stung a little, but adulthood presents a new level of disillusionment.
Here are 15 harsh truths that will hit you like a cold splash of reality, leaving you wondering if you were ever truly prepared for the “real world.”
COLLEGE GPA IS NOT EVERYTHING
While GPA reflects hard work and dedication, it’s not the sole measure of your worth or potential. Beyond a baseline, one should focus on building skills, experiences, and passion – they’ll carry you further.
“Someone I know who got straight C’s down and was hired for a pretty good job due to being bilingual,” one netizen shared.
HARD WORK AND TALENT AREN’T THE ONLY PATH TO SUCCESS
While hard work and talent are often considered the keys to success, luck, timing, and even chance can substantially shape destinies. Recognizing this will help you build a better future. For example, it encourages us to embrace opportunities and forge connections, knowing that unforeseen events can propel us toward unexpected success.
NOT EVERYONE HAS A DESTINED PARTNER
Like in a storybook, the idea that everyone has a perfect partner is beautiful. However, in real life, things are more complicated.
If we think only one special person exists for each of us, it can make us feel stressed and miss out on other great relationships. Instead, it’s better to enjoy our different connections with people throughout our lives. Each person we meet can help us grow, learn, and have fun, whether they are our “forever” partner or someone we only know for a short time.
Focus on building relationships that give you joy.
KARMA ISN’T REAL
The concept of karma may offer a comforting sense of justice in the world. However, it often fails to hold up to reality. People who cause harm often go unscathed, while those who strive to do good can suffer misfortune. Instead of relying on karma, focusing on our actions and striving to build a better world through conscious choices and genuine compassion is empowering.
“Karma isn’t real. People who do bad things often don’t ‘get taught a lesson’ by the universe and continue to succeed despite the bad things they’ve done.” says one.
COMPANIES DON’T PAY MORE TO RETAIN PEOPLE
Many folks think companies reward loyalty with higher pay, but that’s often not the case. In reality, companies tend to prioritize attracting new talent with tempting offers, leaving current employees feeling undervalued.
“Unless you get anything in writing, it’s not binding. I would encourage anyone to seek employment elsewhere if they want a raise. Most places have higher hiring budgets than retention budgets.” says one.
So next time you want to earn more, seek employment elsewhere.
CORRUPTION IS EVERYWHERE
While you may associate corruption with government officials, there is corruption in every institution, including offices, colleges, the hiring process, etc.
HUMAN RESOURCES ISN’T THERE FOR ANYONE
While human resources departments are often seen as champions for employee rights, the reality can be more complex. Their primary responsibility often lies with protecting the company and its interests, not necessarily safeguarding individual employees.
“This! They will lie to your face, telling you they’re there to protect you. The reality is that they are there to protect the company and will always take the company’s side, and whatever confidential meetings you have with them will always end up at your bosses,” says one.
ADULTS ARE OLDER CHILDREN
While adults may have grown taller and gained more wrinkles beneath the surface, they still carry a playful child. Like children, adults seek care, and joy, explore the world with curiosity, and crave connection and love.
LOYALTY AT WORKPLACES
We often believe that hard work and dedication are the keys to success at our workplace. We put in the hard work, grind it out, and trust that our efforts will ultimately be rewarded. But the harsh reality is that this straightforward equation often yields disappointing results.
Instead of finding a direct correlation between effort and reward, many adults discover a cruel reality: hard work often leads to more work without guaranteeing advancement or recognition. The loyalty you pour into your company, the extra hours you dedicate, the sacrifices you make – these can quickly be taken for granted, leaving you feeling undervalued and exhausted.
Accepting this truth can help you navigate and negotiate difficult situations.
THE ECONOMIC DELUSION
Today, many people have a “good” full-time job, often demanding long hours and dedication. Yet, despite consistently making an effort, they remain far from achieving two fundamental aspirations: owning their own home and securing a comfortable retirement.
SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES
Being an extrovert provides a significant advantage in securing opportunities across various aspects of life. The outgoing nature of an extrovert helps them connect with others, network, and get visibility and recognition in all aspects of life.
“If you aren’t an extroverted or social person, life will be a bit harder, and you probably won’t have as many opportunities.” says one.
HAPPILY MARRIED
For most, being happily married is a myth. While fulfilling and loving partnerships exist, every marriage encounters challenges, conflicts, and periods of discontent. The accurate measure of “happily married” lies not in the absence of difficulties but in the ability to navigate them together, fostering growth, understanding, and a deeper connection through thick and thin.
LIFE IS MEANINGLESS
Often, as an adult, you realize that our lives, in general, are pretty meaningless. Everything and everyone we love eventually goes away.
There’s also the aspect of realizing that, as a man, nothing is guaranteed to you regardless of how hard you work or how good a person you are. You can try your hardest but never find love, a home, or a purpose.
IT NEVER GETS EASIER
While we often imagine life becoming easier as we age and gain experience, the reality is quite different. Life never truly gets easier; it simply transforms. Our challenges evolve into new forms that test our resilience and adaptability.
The sooner we start seeing the changes and burdens as challenges, the better it is for us to find opportunities for growth and self-discovery,
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This article was originally published on Mrs. Daaku Studio.