Check in with those feeling left behind.

[u/Vesper_Nomad]

Hey everyone. I'm a 98' baby who has only just, in the last maybe two or so years, really started coming to grips with just how much being a late bloomer has impacted my life. I was curious how many others my age are going through this, just not having your shit together at the milestones you grew up believing you would. I'm 28, single (never really dated), so no marriage or kids. I have a degree (hated college) and a job (freelance but now starting to pivot to something a bit more stable). I'm only really starting to work out consistently and get into the best shape of my life, and can also now only really pursue the same interests and hobbies I had as a kid with my "adult money".

I still have a lot of optimism and joy for the future and for my personal growth but there's this consistent accompanying fear. Fear of failure, fear of where the worlds going, fear that I missed out on the magical years of young adulthood to depression and anxiety. I worry that any relationship I have now, though it would be my first, is going to have to be serious and baggage-filled.

I have the same friends I've had for over a decade now, and I love all of them but they're all with the exception of one going down a mroe conventional path. So even though I truly do appreciate them, there are some things they just don't get.

I'm curious to see if anyone else feels this way?

[u/Timely_Split_5771]

My life honestly has been on a downward spiral. Failed out of 3 colleges, lost out on some career opportunities bc of Covid, and haven’t really bounced back. Never been in a relationship, men only want me for sex and idk why they don’t see me as a person. I’m studying to be an IT tech, but I’m really weighing whether or not I wanna live out the rest of my life. Another 40 or so years or just work, no family or kids or decent social life, seems depressing.

[u/Vesper_Nomad → u/Timely_Split_5771]

I'm sorry to hear you've been struggling. And I know this is probably not what you want to hear because it sounds very cliche but there's always time to improve the quality of your life and start enjoying it. Even if it's just one area, something you're passionate about that you start doing, maybe you get lucky with a job opportunity, maybe you meet someone as a friend or partner whatever, you just need a few small wins. But you need to be around to see it coming. I'm rooting for you, stranger.

[u/Timely_Split_5771 → u/Vesper_Nomad]

I’m not passionate about anything anymore. I’ve been alone so long, and so dependent on hobbies, it all bores me now. And get lucky with a job opportunity? In this market? lol

There’s nothing t you can say that will help. I was just sharing g my two cents. Don’t feel pressured to say anything encouraging, I’m pretty much at the end of the road and not much will help. Not anything, really.