Honestly, when I look back at some of the things I did while growing up, I can’t help but shake my head. There are a few moments that still make me cringe a little, not because I was a terrible person, but because I just didn’t know better at the time. One of the biggest things I regret was how often I disobeyed my parents — especially my mum. She’s always been a very patient and loving woman, but I really pushed her limits back then.
I still remember the first time I got my own phone in secondary school. My older brother bought it for me after I kept begging him for one. At that time, I thought having a phone meant freedom — like I was finally grown and could do whatever I wanted. But what I didn’t realize was that it also came with a lot of responsibility. The moment I got that phone, my life literally changed overnight. I started staying up late, chatting endlessly, scrolling, and wasting time. I stopped doing my chores, barely paid attention to my mum’s instructions, and even started sleeping late into the morning. My mum warned me several times to drop the phone and rest, but I never listened. I felt like she was just overreacting.
Things got so bad that my brother had to step in. I remember that day clearly — he came down from his place, angry and disappointed. He seized the phone, shouted at me, and when I tried to argue back, he smashed it right on the floor. And honestly, I think i deserved it. He didn’t stop there — he beat me mercilessly, and that day, I learned a very painful lesson about the consequences of stubbornness.
But that wasn’t the only time I let my stubbornness get the best of me. Growing up, I was so hard-headed that even my mum couldn’t control me anymore. There was a time she actually brought in a vigilante to take me away from the house because I just wouldn’t listen. I ended up spending a short time in a small cell, and I can never forget how that made me feel. I didn’t even understand what was wrong with me back then. I just kept rebelling without thinking about the pain I was causing my family or the kind of person I was becoming.
Now that I’m older and more mature, I look back and realize how foolish I was. If I could sit down with my younger self today, I’d tell him to slow down, listen, and be patient. I’d tell him that being stubborn doesn’t make you strong or independent — it only brings trouble and regret. I’d remind him that our parents don’t always get it right, but most times, they truly want what’s best for us. I’d tell him to learn the value of discipline and obedience because those are the things that shape you into a better person.
At the end of the day, I’ve learned that disobedience only brings long-term regret. Listening to your parents, being calm, and respecting authority are the real signs of maturity. If I had known that earlier, maybe I would’ve saved myself from a lot of unnecessary pain. But still, I’m grateful for those experiences because they shaped me into the person I am today.
Thanks for reading.
