In the last year or so I started to see so many people of my age that have done truly incredible things and still doing more.
For the vast majority of my life my only goals were gettimg academic satisfaction and doing unproductive stuff in the free time to get temporary pleasure. No end goal whatsoever.
I kind of don’t know what I’ve been doing in the last 17 years while someone gets a patent on solar systems, other invents a new recyclable plastic, and another found a successful startup. I mean, they all find what they’re supposed to be doing with their lives and excel in them.
I feel overwhelmed for trying to pace up with these kind of people. Yet I don’t like the way the things are and I can’t do anything but envy those people.
Anyone with experience in this regard? How did you deal with this? Did you eventually “pace up” with these people or was it too late or an unattainable goal?
Edit: Whoops, I didn’t expect so many replies! Thanks, I’ll look into them all

  • @meatmeatEnglish
    11•11 months ago

    You might feel like that now but almost certainly not forever. Growth and progress happen so slowly, making it very difficult to perceive. Comparing yourself to others and their achievements makes it even harder to see and in some cases may even undo growth/progress.

    The only fair comparison to make is present you to past you. Sometimes that won’t give you much but sometimes it will and those are good moments.

    My hope for you is that you learn to trust yourself and cultivate pride so that one day you realize you’ve been more satisfied with life and can’t be sure when things changed.

    • RequiredOPEnglish
      2•11 months ago

      I hope you’re right. I don’t think I’m doing enough to get into the state where I’m satisfied for the moment.
      Of course I’m doing a lot in general (and definitely outlast my past by far) but everyone does, especially at my age. It feels more like the rate of growth that is important here.
      And I want to “undo” mistakes. I want to work harder and do something so I can “catch up”, perhaps not even a real person but the person I’d be if I spent my time productively. That’s why comparing with myself doesn’t feel satisfying