The Feeling That Everyone Else Is Ahead

There are days when I genuinely feel okay with where I am.

And then I open my phone.

Someone got an internship.
Someone learned a new skill.
Someone won a competition.
Someone already knows exactly what they want to do.

And suddenly, I start questioning myself again.

Am I doing enough?
Should I be further ahead by now?
What if I’m falling behind?

It’s strange because I know I’m not actually competing with them.

But sometimes, it feels like I am.

I forget that I’m only seeing pieces of their lives.

I see their achievements,
but not their uncertainty.

A little note to myself:

I don’t want to spend my twenties constantly feeling like I’m late to my own life.

There will always be someone ahead of me.
Someone more successful.
Someone who figured things out sooner.

But that doesn’t make my journey any less meaningful.

I’m allowed to take my time.
I’m allowed to change my mind.
I’m allowed to grow at my own pace.

Maybe I don’t need to be ahead.

Maybe I just need to keep going. 🤍

I see where they are now,
but not how long it took them to get there.

And somehow, I compare all of that to my own unfinished journey.

Maybe that’s the problem.

I keep comparing my behind the scenes to someone else’s highlight.

I’m starting to realize that everyone has a different timeline.

Some people find their direction early.
Some take years.
Some change paths completely.

And maybe my journey is supposed to look different.

I don’t need to catch up to someone else.

I just need to keep moving in a direction that feels right for me.

Even if it’s slower.
Even if it’s messy.
Even if I’m still figuring it out.

Because being behind only exists when you believe there is one fixed timeline for everyone.

There isn’t.

So today, I’m trying not to ask,

“Why am I not where they are?”

I’m asking,

“Am I a little closer to where I want to be?”

And if the answer is yes...

Maybe I’m doing just fine. 🌱