For perspective, me at 22. Kicked out of the military, recently divorced, and living on a couch in my parents basement.

By any measure, I was WAY behind anyone else I knew.

Now, at 50, I have a job I truly love, a nice apartment with just me and the cat. Have a couple motorcycles, game consoles, and my time is my own.

I’m not rich, but I make more than I spend in a given month, have enough savings that I’m not living paycheck to paycheck, and an emergency expense won’t ruin me.

It took a long time to figure out what happiness looked like for me, and to stop judging my life by those around me.

Sure, my siblings are more “successful”, but I can’t say they seem happier than I am.

I don’t use any social media aside from Lemmy, I don’t follow anyone, and experience people the old fashioned way, in person or through phone calls.

Look around your life and see the things you do have. Not to post, just for you to recognize.

Think about what it is that makes you happy, both day to day, and in say a five year plan. Make a goal, make it achievable, and then do it. Just for you.

Go see a live show, buy yourself a present, take a short trip to see a place you’ve never been, invest in a new hobby, take up a musical instrument.

And for fuck sake stay away from AI chats and social media!