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
It’s not really about being happy or sad. I just want to be like these people. I don’t think this by itself would really help with what I’m looking for. I’d rather be unsatisfied instead of being satisfied without growth as well.
Also, I indeed went through some mental shittery in the past. I’m also kind of feeling the title because I was being an absolutely unproductive shit for two years in the prime years of my youth. Like, all that over literally nothing. Nothing that makes the slightest sense.
I think I successfully came over it though. Proud for that, but the time wasted won’t come back. You’d think I won’t let my time wasted like that again
I feel you, I’ve been feeling similar lately too, I think it’s something a lot of people go through so just know you aren’t alone. I guess what I’m trying to say in my previous comment is that a common stigma is this:
I get that you might not feel that way, but it kind of seems like you have some stuff weighing you down somewhere in there. Even if it isn’t obvious I just think having a therapist to talk to would really help. IMO it’s good even if someone doesn’t think anything is wrong and is perfectly happy. It’d be good just to maintain that!