Do you have a meandering life path? Are you a late bloomer?

June 18, 2017 8:01 PM

I had a small breakdown today when I realized just how low my income is for someone of my age and education level. I've had an extremely hard time finding my career niche. Much of this is due to anxiety and depression I've been dealing with for years. But I know so many other people who deal with anxiety and depression and still manage to make a good income. I am 10 years out of college and still rely on financial help from my parents. I know I am quite privileged to have this. I am very grateful for it. But at the same time, I feel such a sense of failure knowing that I haven't been able to reach my potential in my career--nowhere near my potential. On top of this, I am perpetually single but desperately want to get married in the next few years. I am incredibly grateful for everything I have and the lifestyle I can enjoy without making much money. I check my privilege every damn day. And yet. I feel like a failure every damn day, too. What's more, now that I'm in my early 30s all those memes about late bloomers only serve to make me feel more hopeless. Who cares if Oprah was fired from a job at 23? By 30, she had her own show. Who cares if JK Rowling was on government assistance in her late 20s? By 31, she had published Harry Potter. Hearing people called late bloomers when they accomplished these great things at younger ages than I am now c just makes me feel like more of a failure. Are you a late bloomer who didn't bloom until you were in your late 30s or beyond? Have you moved from passion to passion in a meandering path that made sense in the end? I would love to hear your stories. Please.
posted by sunrisecoffee to Work & Money