Life Progress
I understand that everyone progresses in life at their own pace and things happen when you're ready for them etc, But currently I am constantly seeing all my friends start their careers, get engaged, married, have kids, have a second kid. It just feels like I'm falling behind, and I know it's ridiculous I have an amazing boyfriend, two wonderful dogs, a job, and our own place. I have so much to be grateful for that it makes me sick that I feel so jealous of other people, but I don't know how to make it stop. I have become hyper-aware lately of the progression of time and it's given me so much anxiety that I honestly don't know how to talk myself down from it anymore. How do you forget that your aging and time is limited?
@TheEmptyWardrobe I think it takes a lot of effort for those thoughts to go away. I try to not similar feelings overwhelm me but they still find ways to creep back from time to time. Just recently I met up with old high school friends I hadn't seen in a long time. One has been married for a few years, the other finally worked her way up the ladder to her dream job. They both have a lot going on in their lives and have accomplished amazing things. I am so proud of them and feel blessed to have them in my life. That being said, I still felt jealous when I compared where they are vs where I am. I just started going back to school, I have to live with my parents still because of financial instability (on both sides - niether they nor I can afford for me to move out since I pay some of the bills), I just broke up with my partner of 3 years.. When I am feeling inadequate, I try to name some of the positive things in my life to counterbalance the negative. So I might still be in school but I am in graduate school. When I am done, I will have a Ph.D. I still live with my parents but they need the help as much as I need the help. Plus with my grandfather moving in, I can help take care of him and spend more time with him in general. I might have lost a long term boyfriend but that must be because it wasn't meant to be. It's better that I didn't waste more time with someone who couldn't be there for me when I needed him.
When you feel jealous of your friends, try to replace those thoughts with the positive. You have a partner who cares for you, you have two amazing dogs that make spending time at home more special, and you have a place to call home with the people (and pups) you love.
