We are honestly in times when it now looks as if there is no next big thing that will happen for you, you feel like you are not doing enough, you feel like a failure. Everyone around you is doing something big and you start to see yourself as a failure and that feeling is born out of pressure. No! You are not a failure and you are not behind. It is okay to live a slow paced life, it is ok to just exist and it is ok to dream big while navigating life. What will not be ok is you succumbing to pressure.
Don't be too hard on yourself and start to feel like you are "behind." You are exactly where you need to be right now, living the life that is meant for you.
Thinking you are "behind" will make life feel more like a race with a set finish line and a specific schedule. But life is not a race. It is a journey that is definitely filled with experiences, lessons, and chances to grow. Everyone’s path is different, shaped by their own situations, values, and dreams.
Don’t compare yourself, each and every one of us have our own journey that has different beginnings, challenges, and goals. What looks like "success" to other people might not matter to you, and the other way around.
We often feel "behind" because of societal pressures. There is pressure to hit certain goals by a certain age. Get a degree, get a good job, get married, buy a house, have kids. These expectations, pushed by family, friends, and the media, create a very strict plan that does not fit everyone's life. Not everyone wants the same things, and not everyone's life follows the same timeline. Some want to travel first. Others want to focus on their career before starting a family. Some want to have a family before career, Some want a simpler life, focusing on personal growth and relationships instead of things. There is just no single definition of success, so there is no single way to be "on time."
Feeling "behind" often comes from a fear of missing out . We see the people around us achieving things, making new announcements and we worry we are missing out on opportunities, experiences, or happiness. This fear can make us make quick decisions, chase goals that does not even match our values, or stay in situations that are not good for us. It is important to remember that everyone's journey has good and bad times. What you see on the surface is usually just a small part of the story. People do not often share their struggles, failures, or the moments of doubt that come with any worthwhile effort.
Instead of worrying about what you think or what you should have done by now, look inside yourself. Ask yourself what is important to me? What makes me happy? What am I excited about? What kind of life do I want? When you live by your values, you will stop feeling "behind." You will be more in the moment, enjoying the little things, learning from your experiences, and seeing the progress you are making, no matter what others expect.
There will be times when you feel like you are doing well, and times when you feel like you are struggling. Both times are important parts of the journey.
Enjoy the present moment. This is where life really happens. Thinking too much about the past or worrying about the future takes away the happiness and chances you have right now. Try to be mindful, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without judging them, and be thankful for what you have. Every day is a new start, a chance to learn, grow, and make choices that fit who you really are.
In conclusion, you are not behind. You are exactly where you should be, right now, living the life that is meant for you. Enjoy your journey, celebrate what you have done, and know that you are exactly where you need to be. The world needs what makes you special which is that gift God has given to you. Do not let the fear of being "behind" stop you from living a life that is real, satisfying, and true to who you are, so long as you are in a happy place, you are not behind.