This reminds me of a conversation I had.

A few weeks ago, I went to see my university’s Vice Chairman to tell her about my decision to drop out of university officially.

I stopped attending for 2 years because I started working full-time (it was a job I loved and really wanted). In that time, I also got married and now have a baby on the way.

I told her I wanted to drop out because continuing where I left off would be too pricey (it was an expensive university which I’ve been paying for alone), and I have properly planned my income and savings for our little family.

It was also not in my interest to continue. I did want to study, just not there and not that course.

Her response to me, condescendingly, was “I envy you young people. Getting married and having children when you don’t have money.”

Then she started talking about how she’s actually rich enough to retire but she’s still here to help students like myself succeed in life.

I hate that she assumed I was “not succeeding” only because I did not have a certificate from her university. Every achievement in my life I reached on my own, no thanks to university at all.

I also hate that she assumed I was poor just because I had to plan my money. I’m not broke, I just don’t want to waste money anymore.

My job pays me very well. Just because I’m not as rich as her, it does not mean that I do not have enough.

I am happy. In fact, happier than I have ever been. And that is enough for me.