My Parents Think I Have No Motivation

It’s difficult to understand how others perceive us because we aren’t in their heads. We might know that we’re working hard to achieve our goals in life, but it doesn’t mean that other people will acknowledge those efforts. What if your parents think you aren’t motivated? Say you’re talking to your mom and she says, “You aren’t working hard enough.” How does that make you feel? Do you think she has a point there, or is it completely invalid? Your mom may believe that you have no motivation. But you know your ability to work diligently, and it’s important to remember that you are navigating your destiny. Regardless of the perception of others, you know if you are motivated or not, and if you’re working hard, no one can take that away from you.

Why do you care what your parents think about you?

It’s natural to care about what your parents think because they raised you and they’re important to you. If you have a toxic relationship with your parents, this may not apply to you, but even if you do have a toxic relationship with them, it might still feel natural to you to care what they think. When you’re working hard, you’re doing it for yourself. You’re doing it to achieve your goals in life, regardless of if that’s to be a famous writer, a politician, a doctor, or whatever else you’re pursuing. It’s likely that you chose your career path for yourself, but maybe, there’s a part of you that wants to impress your parents or fears letting them down. When you’re striving for these primary goals and your parents think you’re not motivated, it can be hurtful. You might be wondering why they think that about you — do they think you’re lazy or that you have no motivation to succeed? It’s difficult when you get caught up in what other people think about you, including family.  

How do you let go of the perception of others?

The way to let go of worrying about what other people think of you — including family — is to remember that you aren’t them. That all you can do is your best. You know that you’re working as hard as you can, and you’re aware of your strengths. It’s about listening to your internal motivation and remembering what it is you want. Maybe your parents have a dream or an idea of what they envision for you that isn’t the same as what you desire for yourself. If that’s the case, this may be why you feel the way that you do. Perhaps, they want the best for you and have a specific idea of what that looks like, but the truth is that only you know what you want and what’s best for you. Therapy can be an incredible resource if you’re struggling with your parents’ expectations of you or if you’re working on determining what you want for yourself and your life.

Online counseling

Online counseling is a great place for you to talk about your goals and work on your success. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Understanding what you want in life can take time, and a mental health professional can help you figure out what you genuinely want to do with your life. Your therapist is there to help you set goals and achieve them. Don’t be afraid to reach out. If you find that you’re preoccupied with what your family thinks about you, it’s time to let that go, and your online counselor can help you do that.