They Say ‘You’ll Be Fine’—But If You Ever Boiled Water Just to Take a Bath, You Know There Are Parts of Growing Up Poor That Never Leave You

It says early mornings and late nights. It says families doing the best they can. It says resilience without applause.

If you’ve never had to do this, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re wrong or spoiled. It just means your story is different.

But if you have—if you see that pot and feel something tighten in your chest—then you know.

You know that growing up poor isn’t just a chapter you close. It’s a lens you carry. It changes how you value things. How you understand others. How you define “enough.”

And even now, with years between me and that kitchen, I still pause sometimes. I still listen to the sound of water. I still remember a time when warmth had to be made, carefully, one pot at a time.

Some lessons are learned loudly. Others arrive quietly, carried in steam, and stay with you for life.