Anyone else feeling the same?

Hi there.

Here’s my situation: I’m not big on constant studying, I’m an introvert, I’m not much of a party person, I have zero interest in climbing the corporate ladder or being "someone," and I’m not a materialist—money isn't my main driver. Basically, as time goes on, this is just becoming who I am.

I have a girlfriend, and I'm only 21. But honestly? I love that I don't care about status symbols. I enjoy eating healthy on a budget, I manage to save about 70% of my paycheck, and I drive the absolute junker of a car you can find in a city like Chicago... All of this feels right to me, but am I actually okay? Just three years ago, I was chasing a career; I felt ALIVE. I was constantly out meeting people, flirting, blowing money, dreaming about big business deals and wealth. Now, suddenly, I’ve got a solid job, but I’ve let go of almost everything else, and I'm perfectly fine with that. A good workout or a book satisfies me way more than hitting some club or hanging out at a bar...

You're totally fine, seriously.
I’m actually pretty much the same way when it comes to going out, trying to stand out, and all that stuff you mentioned.
You're smart—you save money, or rather, you aren't just throwing it away left and right, and honestly, that's perfectly okay.

Let me tell you one thing:
Everything is fine, as long as you were happy with how you were acting. I mean, why even worry about what everyone else thinks? With the way social norms work these days, nobody can actually live up to them perfectly, and frankly, screw those norms anyway. Nobody is ever considered "normal" by them...

And I really like that last part where you said you read a lot of books.
Keep reading, and who knows, maybe one day that hobby turns into you becoming a writer...

Charles Young56 said:You're totally fine, seriously.
I’m actually pretty much the same way when it comes to going out, trying to stand out, and all that stuff you mentioned.
You're smart—you save money, or rather, you aren't just throwing it away left and right, and honestly, that's perfectly okay.

Let me tell you one thing:
Everything is fine, as long as you were happy with how you were acting. I mean, why even worry about what everyone else thinks? With the way social norms work these days, nobody can actually live up to them perfectly, and frankly, screw those norms anyway. Nobody is ever considered "normal" by them...

And I really like that last part where you said you read a lot of books.
Keep reading, and who knows, maybe one day that hobby turns into you becoming a writer...

<3

Man, your description sounds exactly like my dad. He finally stopped driving that massive tank through the city after it broke down, so he was forced to pick up a regular car instead. 🕺
But he’s still holding onto that old beast instead of just sending it to the scrapyard. Some things are just hard to wrap your head around.

I don't see anything crazy about this. It’s just a phase, man. You're probably feeling anxious and depressed, sure, but if you ask me—and obviously, I'm no doctor—it's stuff you can work through without needing a full-blown hospital stay. Just go talk to your GP or someone, alright? Don't be ashamed. Seriously, please, never let shame get in the way. You're young, you've got your whole life ahead of you. When I was roughly your age, I was pulling shifts where we'd handle 500 or 600 rounds of ammunition a day—just non-stop grind. And hey, I'm still standing. Life goes on. And honestly? Don't sweat the small stuff. That's the real secret. Learn how to tell a joke—you can find plenty online—and just keep moving. Things will get better, trust me.

Sometimes I’m all about the deep learning stuff, totally an introvert... other times I’m down to go out, though that depends on what you even call "going out," and some days I just don't feel like it at all. I've never been one to climb the corporate ladder, and honestly, I wouldn't say I'm a big materialist either.

I'm single, not exactly a spring chicken but definitely not old, and I've always managed to keep my money in the bank—except back in my early twenties when I’d blow my entire paycheck in three days straight. I ride a bike, don't bother with a car. I never really dreamed of starting some big business or anything; I'm just into books, working out, peace and quiet, or hitting up a five-day music festival.

Do you think she’s anything like 😁?

jadeowl2 said:Sometimes I’m all about the deep learning stuff, totally an introvert... other times I’m down to go out, though that depends on what you even call "going out," and some days I just don't feel like it at all. I've never been one to climb the corporate ladder, and honestly, I wouldn't say I'm a big materialist either.

I'm single, not exactly a spring chicken but definitely not old, and I've always managed to keep my money in the bank—except back in my early twenties when I’d blow my entire paycheck in three days straight. I ride a bike, don't bother with a car. I never really dreamed of starting some big business or anything; I'm just into books, working out, peace and quiet, or hitting up a five-day music festival.

Do you think she’s anything like 😁?

Hit me up in the DMs 😂🙋

Chris Hayes68 said:Hi there.

Here’s my situation: I’m not big on constant studying, I’m an introvert, I’m not much of a party person, I have zero interest in climbing the corporate ladder or being "someone," and I’m not a materialist—money isn't my main driver. Basically, as time goes on, this is just becoming who I am.

I have a girlfriend, and I'm only 21. But honestly? I love that I don't care about status symbols. I enjoy eating healthy on a budget, I manage to save about 70% of my paycheck, and I drive the absolute junker of a car you can find in a city like Chicago... All of this feels right to me, but am I actually okay? Just three years ago, I was chasing a career; I felt ALIVE. I was constantly out meeting people, flirting, blowing money, dreaming about big business deals and wealth. Now, suddenly, I’ve got a solid job, but I’ve let go of almost everything else, and I'm perfectly fine with that. A good workout or a book satisfies me way more than hitting some club or hanging out at a bar...

You're living the dream.

Don't change a thing—maybe swap girlfriends if you get bored.

The rest of it sounds perfectly balanced to me.

Chasing money and titles is a one-way ticket to a miserable life.

ruggedhawk20 said:You're living the dream.

Don't change a thing—maybe swap girlfriends if you get bored.

The rest of it sounds perfectly balanced to me.

Chasing money and titles is a one-way ticket to a miserable life.

👍