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
At 17 I was a total waste of space. Didn’t even attempt to get my life together until I was about 23, and even then it was a long process. I barely even graduated high school.
Now I’m 32 and I’m that guy people are jealous of that “has his life together”. I’ve got a family, a good career, an education - all the societal boxes are checked.
I don’t think anybody really has their life “together”, though. We’re all just trying to get through life as best we can. I’m not necessarily any more “happy” now than I was at 17, I’ve just had more time to improve my situation a little at a time. Just live your life, my dude.