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

  • quentin@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    It’s funny, because I’m the exact opposite. I’m grateful that there are people who are this passionate about their work, accomplishment, wanting to become more, traveling and doing all sorts of stuff every month but it’s never been me, and I’m fine with it. I have a job, but I value the time that I have for myself. I don’t care if people would call me unproductive/lazy because I love watching movies when I’m off work, it’s my time and I like it that way.

    Maybe there’s a piece of the puzzle missing for you and you don’t see it yet. I don’t believe in all the “be productive at all time” BS social media is trying to feed us, but maybe you need to find something that will give you this idea that you’re doing something. I know friends who are wired very differently than me in this regard. It doesn’t have to be something big, but something that matters to you. Start with things that you enjoy or believe in. You haven’t wasted your life; you’re still there, which is what matters. Your life is no less than anyone else’s no matter how strongly you feel that way at the moment. Sure, you most likely won’t invent a new recyclable plastic, but who said you have to?

    I hope this helps in some way!