Many people don’t realize how much their childhood still affects them. How our parents raised us becomes a big part of who we are. It’s difficult to spot these effects, especially if you think your upbringing was typical. But there are some clear signs that show you grew up in a strict household.
In this blog post, I’ll share 10 tell-tale signs that you were raised by strict parents.
You always follow the rules
People raised by strict parents often become sticklers for rules. You might feel very uncomfortable breaking even small rules or bending them slightly. This can make you seem uptight to others, but for you, following rules feels safe and proper. You might even get anxious or feel guilty when you see others breaking rules.
You have a hard time relaxing
Relaxation doesn’t come easy if you grew up in a strict home. You might feel like you always need to be doing something productive. Sitting still or taking time off can make you feel lazy or guilty. This constant need to be busy can lead to stress and burnout if you’re not careful.
You’re a perfectionist
Strict parents often have high expectations, which can turn their kids into perfectionists. You might set very high standards for yourself and feel upset when you don’t meet them. This drive for perfection can be good sometimes, but it can also cause a lot of stress. You might have trouble accepting that mistakes are a normal part of life.
You struggle with decision-making
If your parents always made decisions for you, you might find it hard to make choices as an adult. You could spend a lot of time worrying about making the wrong choice. This indecision might affect big life choices and small daily decisions alike. You might often look to others for advice or approval before making up your mind.
You have a strong sense of responsibility
Growing up with strict parents often leads to a deep sense of duty. You probably take your responsibilities very seriously and hate letting people down. This can make you a reliable friend and worker, but it might also mean you take on too much. You might have trouble saying no to requests, even when you’re already overwhelmed.
You’re hard on yourself
Strict parents can be very critical, and you might have learned to be just as hard on yourself. You could have a loud inner critic that points out every little mistake you make. This self-criticism can make it hard to feel proud of your achievements. You might brush off compliments and focus more on what you could have done better.
You seek approval from others
If you grew up always trying to please strict parents, you might still seek approval from others as an adult. You could worry a lot about what other people think of you. This need for approval might make you change your behavior or opinions to fit in. It can be challenging for you to stand up for yourself or disagree with others.
You have trouble expressing emotions
Strict households often don’t leave much room for emotional expression. You might find it hard to show or talk about your feelings. This can lead to keeping emotions bottled up inside, which isn’t healthy. You might come across as distant or cold to others, even when you don’t mean to.
You’re always punctual
Being on time was probably a big deal in your strict household. Now, you might get very anxious about being late for anything. You’ll likely arrive early to appointments and get stressed if others run late. While punctuality is a good trait, it can cause problems if it makes you inflexible or overly worried about time.
You have a strong work ethic
Strict parents often emphasize the importance of hard work. As a result, you probably take your work or studies very seriously. You might be the person who always goes the extra mile at work or school. While this can lead to success, it might also mean you have trouble balancing work and personal life. You could feel guilty when you’re not being productive.
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