Who else here feels like they operate very differently compared to their immediate family? Do you see it as an advantage or disadvantage?

My family is very neurotic, extremely inconsistent, and throat gaggingly self-centered. My parents always praised me and thought i would be the most successful in the family. Now that i have been set back a bit by BP and such, i am starting to realize that i don't want to be motivated purely by money.
Whenever i enter the room, they stop talking. Once i leave, they start up again. They expect me to engage with them, but the only conversations we ever have are about their ridiculous needs or questions to probe what i have been doing.

I can not save my money for the life of me, but i find solace in not holding back my desires to spend it. My life could change at any moment, and i want to know i have been doing what i desired all along. Having financial stability is part of that. A smaller part than my family would prefer.

As a kid, you go to school for a job. While working, you work for retirement. When retired, you are trying your hardest not to suddenly collapse and die.

What a fuking life.. I'd rather live it now, regardless of how absurd it looks like to outsiders.