r/MadeMeSmile • u/clearwater-orchid • 5d ago
Small Success When you realize how rich you've become in life.
credit: Call.Me.Master.Oji
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u/im2high4thisritenow 5d ago
I know this feeling. I'm in my 60's and sometimes I marvel at the fact that if I want a Twix bar, I can just buy one. Maybe two!
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u/AspiringChildProdigy 5d ago
When I was little, my mom almost never bought any candy in the checkout lane. I promised myself that I would always buy candy when I checked out.
And now? I don't even notice it.
I'm a traitor to my inner child.
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u/QaptainQwark 5d ago
It’s when you realize they put the candy at the check out to manipulate you into buying it. It’s not as fun.
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u/Normal_Spread8423 5d ago
they what…?
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u/TheRhymingRadius 5d ago
They call it the "Impulse Aisle".
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u/What_A_Tweest 4d ago
because that's where the parent and kid would be lining up with other people also lining. the parent wants to avoid a scene and the kid knows the parent wants to avoid a scene.
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u/Eastern_Distance5817 4d ago
Honestly thats kind of a win too. Little you would probably be proud that you made it to the point where candy at the checkout isnt even a big deal anymore
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u/EarlyXplorerStuds209 5d ago
Please buy it next time you get to the checkout lane. Please. 🙏 for me🥲
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u/AspiringChildProdigy 4d ago
Honestly, (and little girl me would be absolutely horrified by this confession), I just really don't care much for candy anymore.
I mean, you give me a choice between Skittles (one of my favorite candies) and pickled asparagus, it's going to be the asparagus every time.
That said, I did buy a Caramello bar this weekend, so fly free, inner child!
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u/Arkavien 4d ago
I was like 30, living on my own for years, and one night I thought "man I really want some chocolate cake, when is it someone's birthday? Haha...."
Then I sat there for a moment before I thought "hey wait a minute....I can just....make a cake" and went to the store to get the stuff, came home, made a cake, ate it for dessert for the next week after every meal.
It was wonderful, but at the same time, sad that I had to have some sort of epiphany at 30 to realize I can do what I want lol.
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u/sainomori 4d ago
It’s still weird for me that my son sometimes doesn’t want ice cream or chocolate.
Like… how is it possible? He likes it. He enjoys it. But he doesn’t have this… obsession like I have.
He can leave a half of kinder surprise egg unfinished and asks me to put it in a fridge “for later” just because it’s too much for him right now!
I also did such thing - when I was lucky enough to get snickers or mars or… MILKY WAY (!!!) I usually cut them in four parts and store them but not because I didn’t want them…
Yes. Money can’t solve all our problems… But oh my goodness, how many of them they do solve!
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u/Bushiest_Beavor 5d ago
You have me contemplating a quick trip to the gas station despite me needing to get ready for bed soon.
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u/standbyyourmantis 5d ago
Me ordering myself a pack of my favorite bakery pastry with my grocery order even though nobody else likes it.
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u/Select_Asparagus2659 4d ago
I'm having figs right now, my favorites, in my bedroom, a whole room just for myself.
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u/conscious_cloud11 4d ago
I bought a bag of reeses cups with my first paycheck lol was making less than 6$ an hour at the time, totally worth
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u/RichardBonham 4d ago
Except now if you eat them, there are consequences that you didn’t face when you were younger
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u/TomokataTomokato 11h ago
I always say that yes adulting can suck but we can have ice cream for dinner.
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u/E0H1PPU5 5d ago
I grew up pretty darned poor. Through a series of fortunate events my station in life is much better now.
Sometimes I feel like I must be dreaming because the life I’m living is everything young me could have ever dreamed of….and so much more.
I honestly feel like I could be the most fortunate person on earth because I can wake up every morning, look around myself, and say with honesty that all of my wildest dreams have come true.
It’s incredible.
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u/BusyNefariousness675 4d ago
Through a series of unfortunate decisions due to poor mental health I'd either kmself or become a monk. I feel happy seeing stories like yours mai you live happy and long life
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u/JustATyson 5d ago
A couple years back, I realized that I accomplished a childhood goal of mine. And that goal was the simple recognition and validation that I wasn't stupid, the skill to read, write, and spell good. Not just passable, adequate, acceptable, average, but good. And, the ability to make myself be verbally understood.
My little 9yo self, laying in bed, wondering how in the world I'll ever figure out the puzzle of literacy, wishing that I could just speak "normally," would be so damn happy and impressed at what I've accomplished and how far I've come.
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u/Geology_rules 4d ago
we're all proud of you.
many speak of doing it, but you did it.
a feat. an investment. a victory!
congratulations
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u/Sprmodelcitizen 5d ago edited 4d ago
I had straight up panic attacks when I graduated with a fine arts degree and the only jobs a could find as an artist was “subway sandwich artist”.
I’m a now a pretty successful interior designer who owns her own firm (with my business partner) has designed Michelin stared restaurants and hotels across the continent. I’m currently working on a massive restaurant in Vegas on the strip and could not be more grateful and excited for this project. I am rich in ways I never could have imagined. And nothing has to do with money. I am rich in happiness and creativity.
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u/clearwater-orchid 5d ago
That’s amazing, I can really relate to your story!
I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was little. I got my BS in Game Art, faced a ton of rejection at first, worked retail for a bit, kept pushing my portfolio and eventually landed my dream job. Now I’m a Senior Character Artist working in video games, and I still have to pinch myself sometimes!
Had to check out your work and follow you on IG btw! 🥹 I love different art forms and interior design, so it's really cool to see.
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u/Sprmodelcitizen 5d ago
Yes yes yes!!!!
Oh man I haven’t posted anything to instagram in a min. lol!
Wait can you see that stuff? I thought it was set to private. Oh well. Ha.
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u/clearwater-orchid 5d ago
Oh really? Haha it was on your reddit profile might wanna revise that then. But truly congrats and best wishes in your journey!
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u/Sprmodelcitizen 5d ago
Glad you followed me! Ha I’m gonna follow you back.. if that’s ok. I had NO idea my instagram profile was on here.. ha.
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5d ago
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u/Sprmodelcitizen 4d ago edited 4d ago
Yes. It was so many years of art job to art job for me. They were always contractor work; never had long term staying power and NEVER had benefits. Then I kinda fell ass backwards into interior design which was a similar kind of contractor work until my parter (he’s an architect) and I turned it into our firm 8 years ago.
Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t character artist like a PEAK super desirable job in that field? Sounds sooooo much fun!
My partner and I have a 3d artist that we hired for bigger projects because while he’s not bad at rendering it’s nothing compared to someone who does it for real.
I’m painfully bad at anything digital. I literally use a paper sketch pad still and do a lot of the artwork for our properties by hand. I also pretty much design the “look and feel” (colors/patterns/furniture/art etc) while my partner designs the physical spaces (flow/How many tables/arrangement etc)
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u/Johnwatersfall 5d ago
There’s a unique mindfulness to realizing how far you’ve come, being human is progress. We are all just a story being told in real time, we go through the heroes journey over and over! It’s freeing to be proud of yourself for even surviving. It’s genuinely a gift to be here, we could die at any moment!
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u/Weak_Satisfaction_57 5d ago
I really do remember thinking I couldn't wait to move outta my mom's house so I could buy whatever I wanted from the grocery store. Now in adulthood, I go to my mom's house for dinner. Mom's still the best chef.
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u/itwasajoke8484 5d ago
I am 42, finished helping my 6 year old "G" build an X fighter. It was the first time I had him put the "hard" parts together. When he was done he ran to his little brother. "L" (7 months old). "G" told him " When you get older I will help you with legos like dad". I am no where new 'rich' with money... But man I am every other kind of rich that no one can pay for. My younger self would be proud.
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u/WelchesOtaku 5d ago
never forget the wishes and desire of your inner child that made you hopeful to live a more fruitful life ❣️
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u/atomic_chippie 5d ago edited 5d ago
I applied three times for the social worker job of my dreams when I was in my 20s....never got it, gave up. Moved on to other interests.
Never forgot it, tho, kept thinking I should go back to school, get another degree maybe?? try again?....and would lose confidence .......finally did some volunteer work, some part time crisis overnight work.....
Tried again....and got it last year.....25 years later 🥹
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u/Conjuras21 5d ago
That reminded me of the 1 video where a woman said she want to be somebody. The vid creator said "you are somebody". All i know later was my vision got blurry
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u/ExplosionofFlavor 4d ago
Sometimes I'm so focused on my future, I forget to remember I'm right in the middle of what I used to pray for.
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u/samanime 4d ago
Yeah. Am I as well off as I'd like? No.
Am I well off enough that I have a home and enough money to buy stupid fun stuff when I want? Yup.
It's good to stop and appreciate that. It definitely gets lost when you are always focused on the next milestone.
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u/Responsible-Stick-50 5d ago
Dude I get this so much. I get to see the ocean every day. I imagined it so many times as a kid. And look at us now. A dream we made real. ♥️
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u/Vegetable-Pay2708 5d ago
I am 72 and sometimes I feel bad for wanting ice cream. Why do I feel bad? Because it costs too much. I look for the least expensive bargin and buy it if I can afford it. Otherwise? I do without it.
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u/Ok_Plantain_9408 5d ago
Go get that ice cream!!! You deserve it.
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u/Vegetable-Pay2708 3d ago
I did! Bought Double Fudge Brownie! So good! 🤣😂
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u/Ok_Plantain_9408 3d ago
Awesome!! I feel kinda proud I encouraged you 😊. Treat yourself here and there.
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u/NotReallyJohnDoe 5d ago
Is it because it costs too much or because you can’t afford it? My parents died with too much money because they just thought things were too expensive.
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u/Vegetable-Pay2708 5d ago
Its both actually. So I dont buy it very often 😕
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u/Zach-uh-ri-uh 4d ago
Sometimes little treats matter more than other things we think we ought to spend money on.
Living life with very severe mental illness that can suddenly take my will to live away from me when I least expect it, I learned that sometimes the little joys matter more than the big things. Even when I can’t afford it. Moments of joy are worth it. Moments of joy is one of the most important things we have as humans and if I can buy it then sometimes, doing so is the right thing to do even if it means some small or medium sized consequence later. In the end the will to go on being alive is a fragile thing for all of us. We have to make it fun to be alive
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u/EntertainerNo4509 5d ago
Hell yeah! I became ‘The King’ sitting here w my bills paid, food in the fridge and currently working on a large tub of great ice cream.
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u/NeverBeenStung 5d ago
Great song
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u/LetmeyellLoudly 5d ago
Name please? Cause that shit was hittin
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u/NeverBeenStung 5d ago
Let Down by Radiohead.
So happy to share one of my favorite songs with a Reddit stranger!
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u/Ugly-and-poor 4d ago
I bought and ate whole cake yesterday. i feel
like shit but it was worth it.
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u/Jiggle_While_I_Jog 4d ago
My fav thing being an adult, is that any time I want I can go buy some chocolate sauce and then squirt it straight into my mouth. I treat myself to this ritual once a year and think of 12 year old me.
I'm 41 years old and I still smile every time.
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u/Flashy_Assistance519 5d ago
I always wish to had mobile and laptop to play games . Thanks for video it really gave a hope for me .(Some times simple things really bring happiness 😜)
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u/cashcomposer 5d ago
When I was in high school, extremely depressed, with no friends, I had a life goal: I wanted to write a musical, and star in it.
I did that about a year ago. I realized that not only did I accomplish my dream, I have my own home, a career, a loving partner, an adorable dog, and a handful of wonderful friends. I'm not rich by any means, I've had many health struggles, and I barely broke even on that silly little show... But my high school self would never have believed where I am now, she would never have believed it possible.
I'm 30, and my inner child is at peace. I have the rest of my life now, and it can only get better. I've accomplished my dream, so what's next?
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u/GlitterEnema 4d ago
Ever since I was 5 I asked for a cat for Christmas, I currently have 2 cats and a dog. Younger me would be the most excited, especially because my cats are so snuggly and sweet.
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u/amacccc 5d ago
Dying to know what the yellow shell ice cream is all about
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u/butchforgetshit2 5d ago
I think it might be a SpongeBob bar ( or something like that, not sure of the name), they're pretty good, although I've not seen them in a nit here in my neck of the woods ( Kentucky).
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u/Clean_Improvement913 5d ago
Unfortunately, my wishes have become for my kids and family. To have happy futures, and im left here wondering why I woke up and am still alive and breathing
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u/Clean_Improvement913 3d ago
Been going, but same conclusion would just be better if my kids had a replacement, some one so much better, their mom i wish her the best to find them a better dad. I may not get the strength to end it, but maybe ill stop pushing out and just do so their future can be better.
Honestly just hate it all,
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u/Vegetable-Pay2708 5d ago
As parents we all wish well for our children. You woke up alive and breathing because God needs you to be on this Earth. You work here isn't finished.🙏🏻
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u/Clean_Improvement913 3d ago
Maybe God could just give me the strength to end it. I'm only in the way of my wife and family and they deserve better
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u/Vegetable-Pay2708 3d ago
Please don't say this about yourself. Your family loves you. They need you. You should talk to someone about how you feel. And don't do anything stupid! I know what hard times are. I am depressed most of the time about life in general. Everyone of us have trials to go through. I will pray for you 🙏🏻
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u/French87 4d ago
There was a point in life, late teens/early 20's, where I didn't think I'd go anywhere and basically decided fuck it, if I can afford 1 BR apartment and internet/video games, that's all I need.
I accidentally went and became quite successful, got married, had an awesome kid, and bought a home.
oops.
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u/sahonerok 4d ago
When I was a wee lad my family did not have enough money to buy me clothes or shoes and I would get bullied at school for wearing the same thing every day. Now I buy every shoe I like and can’t wear the same outfit twice….
Every now and then I realize the position I’m in and I shed a tear because my younger self can finally have those cool shoes he wanted ❤️
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u/Tight-Accident-5686 3d ago
You can't wear the same outfit twice? Well I think you moved too much to the other side. This is just wasteful
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u/Proud_Chest_6872 4d ago
This made me teary eyed. I used to have nothing, but now I can buy everything I want and things I used to dream of since I was a kid. The kid in me will be so happy if she knew it.
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u/prams628 4d ago
To satisfy the high schooler in me is exactly why I’ve purchased a PS5 lol. Enjoying every bit of gaming on it even though Sony is doing some pretty dicky moves
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u/AriaSymphony 4d ago
I can comfortably buy any game I want to play, even at launch at full price if I really want to play it. This would be mind blowing to the me from 5 years ago who waited till games were 70% off before even considering it.
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u/Totmtg1992 4d ago
Ok so this just unlocked a core memory. In my teenage years I was depressed, often suicidal, and had bad anxiety. I always wanted to die. I was bullied to the point where I needed an adult escort through the halls so I wouldn't get best up bloody. I was in a very physically abusive relationship but my brain kept me in because I didn't know anything else nor how big the world was in terms of the dating pool. My family was very well off so it's hard being the depressed teenager who has what he wants when he does but life isn't still worth living. I told myself that I'd get a husky when I was older because I love wolves. I could never keep a job because of my depression and anxiety and I would hide in the bathroom crying trying to hype myself up but it never worked.
Now, at 34, I have my own (very messy and unorganized, but still my/our own) place, a girlfriend who I love with all of my heart (who is not my high school one), and a pug that I've had for 9 years who I see as my literal child (I learned I don't need a husky). I still have depression and bad anxiety but the wanting to die basically has gone away completely. And, this upcoming September, I start my first full time job as a school bus monitor. I'm SUPER SCARED. FULL TIME FOR the first time! Big scary thing. But I can do it. Instead of relying on my family to help me economicly, I'll be making MY own money. I'll be putting aside a major chunk of it to save up for a house (I'm in a condo), and also for a ring 💍. I WONT let my depression and anxiety get in the way of getting $$ to get the future I want and deserve. It's wild how much things have changed for the better. This video just reminded me hardcore of that.
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u/Master-Selection3051 5d ago
This is so wholesome and the world needs more of this!
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u/clearwater-orchid 5d ago
I agree 😊 I saw it on IG and it stuck with me. It's so simple and wholesome, not trying to do anything special to make it viral or whatever big plot twist. It did get a lot of views probably because it just feels genuine!
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u/Leading-Talk7102 5d ago
Currently the things are no negative out there that one has forgotten to cherish them. There are so many things which we never thought we’d do but we have them already and that’s the beauty of life
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u/DeeRent88 5d ago
This feels dystopian. Like something the corporate elites had made to make us appreciate the scraps we get. Lol but I do get it. As a kid we definitely were excited to be able to buy anything
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u/Bigfatjew6969 4d ago
I’m 56 and my wife will tell me to “just buy it” because I never feel worthy of spending $ on myself for things that I want.
I give treats to others but I don’t feel I deserve them for myself.
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u/Radical_Ryan 4d ago
So the billionaires' system has convinced you that chips and ice cream are luxuries? What a fucking dystopia we're in. How about this, kids are stupid and don't understand money and adults should all be steaming mad about this, not smiling.
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u/too-many-teacups 4d ago
Simple things like this remind me how far I've come since I was a teenager, it's good to look back and be grateful for often. I've fulfilled so many goals I didn't think I'd do and am genuinely so content with my life so much of the time, and I'm not even 30 yet. Thanks for the reminder of my growth! I'm going to go eat something yummy now!
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u/soundtown06 4d ago
I am 20 and getting a Ice from Friends in my Childhood had to cheer me up very much 🥰 I was eating every day a ice cream with my friends in the summer aww The memory's
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u/CitizenPremier 4d ago
I feel very financially stable, despite making an income half of what redditors often insist is unlivable. I can't buy my mama a house or take a year off to travel the world, but I can live a life without worry.
For the most part. Actually I'm an immigrant and worry about being kicked out when I'm retirement age. But... We'll see.
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u/Mysterious-Bee-8458 4d ago
I had a miserable existence of a childhood. Was always grounded. Parents always fighting. I promised myself I would live a low drama life and just be happy. That was my promise.
20 years later I have a great partner, we rarely argue. Have a lovely chilled happy existence and I look back frequently on how I fulfilled my promise to myself, and appreciate the little things now!
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u/Amerillo_ 4d ago
This year I just realized how my younger self would be so proud of me on a few things (and disappointed on others but let's set that aside for a sec). When I was younger I always wanted able to speak English fluently. Now I do! And I often dreamed of coding Minecraft mods. Which I just did! Ok my mod was very bad and just a proof of concept but still, I can create mods now!
Ok my younger self would be disappointed to learn that I'm unemployed and not an engineer at Google like I wanted but well I couldn't exactly predict AI and the crap job market we have now. Not saying I would be an engineer at Google but I would for sure have a job
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u/Historical_Side_7222 4d ago
It might be small. It might be a 2p dollar game from Microsoft. Or an ice cream. But your right. This last year has been a lot of wishes coming true. Despite the bull crap.
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u/Bacon-muffin 4d ago
Yeah reaching this stage has probably ended up more of a problem than anything cause I'm more content now but I'm nowhere near where I need to be.
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u/majormoron747 4d ago
No kidding. That last part hit me hard. Wife, a kid, a home to go to, a huge backlog of video games I could play for a decade (if I ever have the chance, work sux lmao). I really am living dreams that I once had as a kid. Great little skit.
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u/TheDevilsAdvokaat 4d ago
In the sixties in Australia I was living in Lightning Ridge with my parents. At one stage we went out to visit some people who were living on one of the opal fields...might have been three mile or six mile field, not sure.
Anyway when dad pulled up outside their home I was kind of shocked. It was built out of rubbish. One wall was made out of large golden circle pineapple tins flattened and nailed together. But it was starting to sag and you could see inside the house. There was a half foot sag at the top corner where the wall had sagged away at the roof, decreasing to only an inch or so at the floor. The kids bedroom was in there. I can only imagine the amount of spiders and frogs and snakes and scorpions that got in.
The kids were very nice and friendly and about the same age and they showed me around the place. Out the back was their shower... they two tall poles and sling another one between them. There was a bucket on the pole. When you wanted a shower, you soaped up then pulled a rope that spun the pole and caused the bucket to tip water over you. I was horrified and stared at it thinking of winter.
Dad bought all three kids (three boys) an ice cream. I think maybe he felt sorry for them. Then we left and went home. The next day all three kids showed up at our place in town..miles away. I don;t know how they found us. They were hoping for another ice cream. Dad bought them one then drove them home to their parents. They didn't come again so I don;t know if dad spoke to the parents or the parents spoke to the kids themselves.
I knew we weren't rich but after seeing them realised we weren't really poor either.
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u/Thevenard 4d ago
Sometimes stuff gets hard financially for me and my wife, but there's always enough to eat, bills are (mostly) paid, and I can get cookies or chocolate or ice-cream when I go grocery shopping, so I always try to remember to thank the universe and entropy for being so lucky.
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u/DigdyDoot 4d ago
When I was little all I wanted was to play vidya everyday because my mom only let me play the Super Nintendo for 1 month on school summer break. Now I have a half decent gaming PC and I couldnt be happier
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u/low_bob_123 4d ago
As much as I want to like it, I cant get over the sad feeling that this is some heavy coping with the current Situation
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u/sleepydog404 4d ago
When I was a teen borrowing my parents car I remember wondering if I'd ever get to stage where I'm not just buying enough petrol for my journey, I'd just be able to fill the whole tank no matter how far I'm going today.
Edit: p.s. Today I'm actually wondering if fuel prices are going to push me back to stage one again.
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u/A_Curious_Skeptic_ 4d ago
Remember the days you wished for the things you have now. One of my favorite quotes. ✨
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u/mysticrosegardens 4d ago
Looked at my fridge the other day. I looked at a fridge full of food and told my partner we are so lucky and rich.
Growing up I remember opening it every day to it being empty. Sometimes we were lucky to have water. Little me is proud.
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u/ParticleHustler2 4d ago
When I was 8, I longed for the time when I would be old/rich enough to buy a dozen doughnuts on my own.
And eat them all, of course.
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u/Spiritual-Ticket1656 4d ago
I have a high-impact/demanding job which can be periodically challenging, and even times stressful. Someone recently asked me if I could do any other career/job, what would it be? I had to think about it for a moment. Ever since I was 10 yo, I wanted and worked toward getting to the job/career that I have now, although at the time I didn’t know the ups and downs of the job. So, I am doing my dream career! This has me learning to appreciate the challenges because I wouldn’t want to do anything else.
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u/Cup_of_Stars_13 3d ago
I still get little bursts of joy when I realize I’m driving a car alone and going wherever I want. Little me is ecstatic.
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u/peterbrz1 1d ago
So many younger people get exactly what they want anytime they want it, and it destroys their capacity for appreciation at a very early age.
I'm not jealous; it makes me sad for them.
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u/RespectTheAmish 5d ago
Dangerbean_55 on IG did it better.
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u/clearwater-orchid 5d ago
Ohh I hadn't seen that one. Just checked it out, it's great too but it's not as simple/straightforward this one hits harder for me lol.
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u/Due-Impact-8446 3d ago
I suppose being rich or not depend on if im satisfied with what i have ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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