I’ve carried this low-key ache for a while now. It hits when I open my phone and see everyone’s updates, old classmates graduating, getting engaged, landing big promotions, or sharing baby pictures. Meanwhile, I’m still figuring things out, wondering why my progress feels so slow.
At my job, it’s similar. People I started with have moved up or switched to better roles. I’ve put in the work, but I’m in the same spot. Chats at work shift; sometimes folks give unsolicited tips, like they assume I need help. It makes me feel overlooked, like my efforts don’t register.
Friends have changed too. Many are settling down, planning weddings, and starting families. Group messages buzz with their excitement. I show up to events smiling but often end up on my own. Family get-togethers sting more—talk centres on new homes, kids, or successes. My updates get glossed over, or I sense the quiet questions about what’s taking me so long.
All this comparing wears me down. Social media amplifies it, showing highlight reels that make my days seem dull. I pull back from gatherings sometimes, tired of justifying where I’m at. Nights get heavy, replaying choices, feeling shame creep in. It’s exhausting, this sense of being paused while others move ahead. Read more https://drbokko.com/?p=35837
