How can I explain 15 years no work history on my resume as a NEET?

I have been a NEET ("Not in Education, Employment, or Training", a person who is unemployed and not receiving an education or vocational training) for the past 15 years. I was in university for a few years after graduating high school, failed out, and moved in with my parents with whom I have lived ever since. I have not worked in all this time because frankly I had no desire to, and because my parents enabled me I enjoyed living a relatively comfortable life with no adult responsibilities.

I am now looking for work and need to explain why I have not been employed for so long. I've been aware that my lifestyle could not last forever and I've mentally prepared for this moment, and I'm confident that I'm capable of doing work and holding a job.

I've seen advice to just be honest, but I find it hard to believe my situation could be spun in any positive way. The most I could honestly offer is that I take care of some household responsibilities, like grocery shopping and taking the pets to the vet because my parents are elderly and I've begun doing some things for them. I had a couple work-study jobs in university that I did reliably, but that was so long ago I don't have references for them and frankly I don't think my supervisors would even remember me. I have been capable of hard work in the past, for example I graduated from high school with honors and made the dean's list with a 4.0 in my first semester at university, but I don't have any other noteworthy accomplishments or experience.

I'm obviously not looking for any significant position. I'll happily take a job at McDonald's or Walmart if they'll have me, but I fear my history is so bad even they'll turn me down. I do not have a car so I cannot do Uber or food delivery.

I'm considering just making something up as I've heard gaps aren't as big a deal for entry-level jobs, but I've also heard that lying can come back to bite you.

Just be honest:

Them: Why the gap?!

You: Well, there was no real need to work. I was lucky enough that my family could support and I was living comfortably. While everybody was content with this, I've since decided that this isn't what I want the rest of my life to be.

I'm looking for more independence and you could even say a purpose/responsibility, and me being here is one of the steps to actually achieve that.

I left out the "with no adult responsibilities" though, because that would be a red flag for me. But apart from that, if someone a bit older comes to me for an entry job with that explanation I would accept it.

• It has honesty
• It's concrete, there is a clear goal for your future
• It explains the gap (you weren't in jail or something)
• It seems like you're ready to grow to the next step and want to put some effort in it.

Yes, I would be a little skeptical but, for an entry level job, that would not be the biggest issue, we could offer you a short contract first, or a longer probation to compensate.

I don't think this would work for every job, but I do think that if a manager has issues with the honesty-approach, that isn't where you want to be anyway :)

Good luck!