Acharya Prashant addresses the fear of becoming mediocre while earning a livelihood. He begins by pointing out the questioner's use of the terms 'adult' and 'child', stating that the relationship between an adult and a child is such that the child has to live in fear. He challenges the questioner, who is physically mature, to stop considering himself a 'child'. Acharya Prashant questions the fear of not being able to earn enough for basic expenses, sharing his own experiences from his college days at IIT. He recounts how he and many of his batchmates would earn their own money, even in their first year, by doing part-time work like checking exam papers for a coaching institute. As they progressed to senior years, they took up tuitions, with some even buying their own bikes to travel for work, while others used buses. He emphasizes that in the current online age, there are countless ways to earn money. The fundamental issue, he explains, is the mindset of seeing oneself as a 'child'. He asserts that while it may be true that many adults are mediocre, a 'child' does not have the right to make that judgment; only a 'real adult' does. To become a 'real adult', one must first mentally stop identifying as a child. He suggests practical steps like taking an education loan or finding part-time work on campus to cover one's expenses. This is not about resentment towards parents, who may offer money out of love, but about establishing one's own self-respect and youthfulness. Acharya Prashant explains that the pressure to give up on one's passions comes from dependency. If one is not dependent on others—be it parents, friends, or a spouse—no one can exert pressure. Relationships should be based on love, not dependency. A relationship founded on dependency is hollow, whereas in a relationship of love, there is no compulsion. If advice is offered out of love, one should listen attentively and also present their own perspective. By becoming independent, one frees oneself from pressure and fear, and can live a life of self-respect without having to bow down to anyone.