Please don’t internalize his false narrative. You are beautiful and heroic and he doesn’t deserve to know you right now. He’s denying who you are. And the way you’re cultivating your life garden in community college is lovely. Don’t let others steal that from you. I’ve denied my whole life I have a mental illness, pretending I’m normal. My profile said I was here for self improvement until yesterday. I beat myself up for failing normal standards. For being a perpetual ef-up. So many years. It’s held me back, made me less, hurt me. I decided yesterday I’m a freaking miracle. I’m 55. It took that long. Don’t believe the lie. Just love who you are, be oblivious to the rest, and bring your gifts into the world in the ways that work for you. Tell your dad you like who you are, and he doesn’t have to. Freud said that what humans need is to work well and to love well. Only you get to decide what that means, not your dad, not anyone else. You are not his commodity. I’m so proud of what you are doing, and sharing this here means you know what’s right and right for you. Unless your dad shapes up don’t trust what he says at all. He’s not loving well.