Life in the USA: A Struggle for Independence

The Reality of Life in the USA: A Balancing Act of Independence and Fatigue

Let’s be honest, I’m feeling a bit worn out. The beautiful landscape photos and festive family dinners I see on social media? They’re just fleeting images that mask a deeper truth.

Living here, you quickly understand how many sleepless nights arise from the anxiety of navigating everyday hurdles. On the surface, we enjoy freedom, but beneath it lies a profound fatigue.

The Price of Freedom: It’s All on You

Absolutely, it’s genuinely all about relying on yourself.

Is the light bulb broken? Fix it yourself. Is the drain clogged? Look for a YouTube tutorial and roll up your sleeves. When the kids are sick, take off work; you might not even get a doctor’s appointment the same day. If it snows, guess who’s shoveling? The car gets stuck? The insurance might just turn a blind eye.

There’s no one to lean on — you must muster the strength to soldier on through it all.

When Illness Strikes: Tough It Out

I’ve adopted a “don’t see a doctor” attitude when I’m unwell. Just recently, I had a nasty cold that I powered through for two weeks.

No matter how comprehensive your insurance appears, you can’t escape those exorbitant medical bills. Even routine check-ups fill me with dread over potential costs. Eventually, once I was coughing so severely that I vomited, I found myself in the emergency room. The doctor took less than five minutes, prescribed medication, and then I faced another bill — after insurance, it was still over a hundred dollars.

The Exhaustion of Parenting

Raising kids in the United States is truly a hands-on experience. Mornings start with drop-offs at school by 7:30 AM and pick-ups at 5 PM. After that, it’s a whirlwind of cooking dinner while keeping an eye on the kids, followed by bath time and bedtime stories.

Don’t expect help from grandparents; they may not be nearby and might also feel out of place if they do come. And forget about weekends as a chance to recharge — they often turn into hectic “activity days” spent in parks, libraries, or museums.

With two kids, it sometimes feels like I’m juggling five jobs at once. School holidays? They’re a nightmare! This is the time when I have to work even harder without any support from others who are also on vacation.

Workplace Pressure: The Fear of Making Mistakes

The pressure in the workplace, particularly for Chinese Americans, can be immense.

With English not being my first language, I constantly worry about being misunderstood if I stumble over my words. In group discussions, I hesitate to speak up for fear of saying something “not quite right.” Social gatherings with colleagues can be awkward, where I dread facing questions about family, my visa status, or political matters.

Often, we end up being the most diligent and rule-abiding individuals in the room, yet we’re frequently overlooked.

The Reality of Loneliness

No matter how lively the areas we inhabit may seem, the stillness of lonely evenings remains palpable.

During holidays, while everyone else is celebrating with family, we are often reliant on video calls. On ordinary days, I sometimes go silent on social media not out of indifference but sheer exhaustion from the daily grind.

This isn’t to say America lacks positives. There are opportunities and growth to be found here. Yet, the weight of solitude can be overwhelming; it pushes you to become stronger and more self-reliant.

Even in this relentless fatigue and isolation, I refuse to surrender because I’ve come too far to turn back now. For those out there facing similar struggles, I send my encouragement and best wishes. Keep pushing forward! 💪✨