Am I weird just because I'm not like everyone else?

Hey everyone. So, I tried searching for a thread similar to this one, but honestly, it feels like nothing out there actually hits on what I’m trying to get off my chest.

The title itself is just a rhetorical question—though if you feel like answering it, be my guest. 😁

I’ve been hyper-ambitious since forever. Back in school, I was always grinding on projects; I knew exactly which college I wanted to attend before I even hit puberty; I was all about competitive sports; and recently, I launched my own business. I’m 21 right now, a college student, studying exactly what I love, and I have my entire future mapped out. I know precisely who I want to be in every single facet of life. I also consider myself pretty mature for my age.

I have a few real friends and maybe another 6 or 7 people I hang out with occasionally. I’m mentioning this because most people might assume I’m a complete loner, but that’s not the case. 🤣
It’s not like I struggle with social skills or anything. I swing between being an introvert and a total extrovert. I don't have any trouble speaking in front of a crowd, making a solid argument in front of authority figures I've never met, or being surrounded by people...

My day starts at 5 AM with a gym session, and by 7 AM, I’m already deep into work on various ideas and tasks. I’m pulling 12+ hour days between school and my business, and honestly? I’m not burnt out physically or mentally. I actually love this pace.
I am a massive perfectionist. For instance, I actually went to the gym on Christmas Day. 🙂
I couldn't care less what people think of me, but my "issue" is that everyone in my family—even the neighbors—won't stop pitying me. Now, you're probably going to say, "Oh, so you *do* care what people think," but that's not it at all. It's not about my hair, or my clothes, or some trivial stuff; it just absolutely infuriates me when people look at me with that pathetic sense of pity.

I’m not into partying, I don't blow money on traveling, and I'm not obsessed with the superficial things most people chase. To me, achieving something matters way more than having a memory of some random event.
For example, I spent my entire first paycheck on a crucial component for my business, and my second one went straight into prep for a certification course that’s vital for my career.

People pity me. They ask, "When are you going to find a boyfriend?" or "Once you start traveling with someone, you won't mind dropping a few thousand dollars, will you?" Or, "When you finally meet a crew and start going out, you'll change..." It's just constant "When are you doing this" and "Why aren't you doing that."
I’ve heard it all, and none of it interests me. It sounds silly, but my only goal is to be successful. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to build a career. And the most important part is that I’m doing this strictly for myself, not to please anyone else.
My brother, whom I love dearly (he’s 9 years older), actually depressed me so much during lunch the other day that I couldn't even look at him.
He just spends the whole time looking down his nose at me, lecturing me on why I'm doing what I'm doing, telling me I should have gone to a technical institute, or predicting how I'll change once I meet people and start spending money on partying...
It feels like he’s projecting his own regret because he spent every single paycheck on booze, hanging out, summer trips, and nights on the town. Meanwhile, I *could* have all those things, but I DON'T WANT them, because I simply prefer working and staying in my own zone.

Everyone pities me because I'm a "solo player" and because I could spend the entire day shut in my room working on my projects. Today, for example, I spent the whole day doing what I love, yet I still felt that wave of pity from my parents with comments like, "You never go anywhere," or "Why wouldn't you celebrate this or that with someone else?" I could go out, but I usually only grab coffee once or twice a week because my time is better spent on my business.

So, what do you guys think of this whole situation? I'm not religious, but I do believe in energy, and it fascinates me. I feel such intense positive energy when I think about my life and my goals, yet on the flip side, I feel this heavy, negative black energy swirling around me from everyone else.

Am I losing my mind just because I don't fit the mold like everyone else? (just kidding 😵)

You’re not crazy—you’re just not like everyone else. Live your life, fill it with purpose, and actually enjoy the things that make you happy. I’ve always had respect for people who aren't afraid to march to the beat of their own drum. You’ve got my support.

Douglas Rogers5 said:Hey everyone. So, I tried searching for a thread similar to this one, but honestly, it feels like nothing out there actually hits on what I’m trying to get off my chest.

The title itself is just a rhetorical question—though if you feel like answering it, be my guest. 😁

I’ve been hyper-ambitious since forever. Back in school, I was always grinding on projects; I knew exactly which college I wanted to attend before I even hit puberty; I was all about competitive sports; and recently, I launched my own business. I’m 21 right now, a college student, studying exactly what I love, and I have my entire future mapped out. I know precisely who I want to be in every single facet of life. I also consider myself pretty mature for my age.

I have a few real friends and maybe another 6 or 7 people I hang out with occasionally. I’m mentioning this because most people might assume I’m a complete loner, but that’s not the case. 🤣
It’s not like I struggle with social skills or anything. I swing between being an introvert and a total extrovert. I don't have any trouble speaking in front of a crowd, making a solid argument in front of authority figures I've never met, or being surrounded by people...

My day starts at 5 AM with a gym session, and by 7 AM, I’m already deep into work on various ideas and tasks. I’m pulling 12+ hour days between school and my business, and honestly? I’m not burnt out physically or mentally. I actually love this pace.
I am a massive perfectionist. For instance, I actually went to the gym on Christmas Day. 🙂
I couldn't care less what people think of me, but my "issue" is that everyone in my family—even the neighbors—won't stop pitying me. Now, you're probably going to say, "Oh, so you *do* care what people think," but that's not it at all. It's not about my hair, or my clothes, or some trivial stuff; it just absolutely infuriates me when people look at me with that pathetic sense of pity.

I’m not into partying, I don't blow money on traveling, and I'm not obsessed with the superficial things most people chase. To me, achieving something matters way more than having a memory of some random event.
For example, I spent my entire first paycheck on a crucial component for my business, and my second one went straight into prep for a certification course that’s vital for my career.

People pity me. They ask, "When are you going to find a boyfriend?" or "Once you start traveling with someone, you won't mind dropping a few thousand dollars, will you?" Or, "When you finally meet a crew and start going out, you'll change..." It's just constant "When are you doing this" and "Why aren't you doing that."
I’ve heard it all, and none of it interests me. It sounds silly, but my only goal is to be successful. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to build a career. And the most important part is that I’m doing this strictly for myself, not to please anyone else.
My brother, whom I love dearly (he’s 9 years older), actually depressed me so much during lunch the other day that I couldn't even look at him.
He just spends the whole time looking down his nose at me, lecturing me on why I'm doing what I'm doing, telling me I should have gone to a technical institute, or predicting how I'll change once I meet people and start spending money on partying...
It feels like he’s projecting his own regret because he spent every single paycheck on booze, hanging out, summer trips, and nights on the town. Meanwhile, I *could* have all those things, but I DON'T WANT them, because I simply prefer working and staying in my own zone.

Everyone pities me because I'm a "solo player" and because I could spend the entire day shut in my room working on my projects. Today, for example, I spent the whole day doing what I love, yet I still felt that wave of pity from my parents with comments like, "You never go anywhere," or "Why wouldn't you celebrate this or that with someone else?" I could go out, but I usually only grab coffee once or twice a week because my time is better spent on my business.

So, what do you guys think of this whole situation? I'm not religious, but I do believe in energy, and it fascinates me. I feel such intense positive energy when I think about my life and my goals, yet on the flip side, I feel this heavy, negative black energy swirling around me from everyone else.

Am I losing my mind just because I don't fit the mold like everyone else? (just kidding 😵)

Lucky you! Honestly, don't change a thing. I wish I had your mindset. Once you hit your later years, being this unique is going to pay off big time. 👍

Douglas Rogers5 said:Hey everyone. So, I tried searching for a thread similar to this one, but honestly, it feels like nothing out there actually hits on what I’m trying to get off my chest.

The title itself is just a rhetorical question—though if you feel like answering it, be my guest. 😁

I’ve been hyper-ambitious since forever. Back in school, I was always grinding on projects; I knew exactly which college I wanted to attend before I even hit puberty; I was all about competitive sports; and recently, I launched my own business. I’m 21 right now, a college student, studying exactly what I love, and I have my entire future mapped out. I know precisely who I want to be in every single facet of life. I also consider myself pretty mature for my age.

I have a few real friends and maybe another 6 or 7 people I hang out with occasionally. I’m mentioning this because most people might assume I’m a complete loner, but that’s not the case. 🤣
It’s not like I struggle with social skills or anything. I swing between being an introvert and a total extrovert. I don't have any trouble speaking in front of a crowd, making a solid argument in front of authority figures I've never met, or being surrounded by people...

My day starts at 5 AM with a gym session, and by 7 AM, I’m already deep into work on various ideas and tasks. I’m pulling 12+ hour days between school and my business, and honestly? I’m not burnt out physically or mentally. I actually love this pace.
I am a massive perfectionist. For instance, I actually went to the gym on Christmas Day. 🙂
I couldn't care less what people think of me, but my "issue" is that everyone in my family—even the neighbors—won't stop pitying me. Now, you're probably going to say, "Oh, so you *do* care what people think," but that's not it at all. It's not about my hair, or my clothes, or some trivial stuff; it just absolutely infuriates me when people look at me with that pathetic sense of pity.

I’m not into partying, I don't blow money on traveling, and I'm not obsessed with the superficial things most people chase. To me, achieving something matters way more than having a memory of some random event.
For example, I spent my entire first paycheck on a crucial component for my business, and my second one went straight into prep for a certification course that’s vital for my career.

People pity me. They ask, "When are you going to find a boyfriend?" or "Once you start traveling with someone, you won't mind dropping a few thousand dollars, will you?" Or, "When you finally meet a crew and start going out, you'll change..." It's just constant "When are you doing this" and "Why aren't you doing that."
I’ve heard it all, and none of it interests me. It sounds silly, but my only goal is to be successful. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to build a career. And the most important part is that I’m doing this strictly for myself, not to please anyone else.
My brother, whom I love dearly (he’s 9 years older), actually depressed me so much during lunch the other day that I couldn't even look at him.
He just spends the whole time looking down his nose at me, lecturing me on why I'm doing what I'm doing, telling me I should have gone to a technical institute, or predicting how I'll change once I meet people and start spending money on partying...
It feels like he’s projecting his own regret because he spent every single paycheck on booze, hanging out, summer trips, and nights on the town. Meanwhile, I *could* have all those things, but I DON'T WANT them, because I simply prefer working and staying in my own zone.

Everyone pities me because I'm a "solo player" and because I could spend the entire day shut in my room working on my projects. Today, for example, I spent the whole day doing what I love, yet I still felt that wave of pity from my parents with comments like, "You never go anywhere," or "Why wouldn't you celebrate this or that with someone else?" I could go out, but I usually only grab coffee once or twice a week because my time is better spent on my business.

So, what do you guys think of this whole situation? I'm not religious, but I do believe in energy, and it fascinates me. I feel such intense positive energy when I think about my life and my goals, yet on the flip side, I feel this heavy, negative black energy swirling around me from everyone else.

Am I losing my mind just because I don't fit the mold like everyone else? (just kidding 😵)

I wouldn't go so far as to say you're crazy, honestly; there's nothing wrong with having ambitions and actually enjoying the grind, but if there isn't a single thing outside of your job that brings you any spark of joy, then yeah, that strikes me as a bit off. We don't exactly know what your line of work is, so I can't tell you if your career has some grander purpose or if you're just spinning your wheels for the sake of it. If you were, say, working at Mayo Clinic trying to develop a life-saving vaccine 😁, then I could wrap my head around that singular focus, but just working a job that doesn't serve any larger goal seems like a hollow way to spend your time. It doesn't have to be a medical breakthrough; it could be anything meaningful that leads toward something useful, beautiful, or even just genuinely interesting to you or the people around you. Otherwise, it feels less like living and more like you're just hiding from the world.

Michael Lee75 said:I wouldn't go so far as to say you're crazy, honestly; there's nothing wrong with having ambitions and actually enjoying the grind, but if there isn't a single thing outside of your job that brings you any spark of joy, then yeah, that strikes me as a bit off. We don't exactly know what your line of work is, so I can't tell you if your career has some grander purpose or if you're just spinning your wheels for the sake of it. If you were, say, working at Mayo Clinic trying to develop a life-saving vaccine 😁, then I could wrap my head around that singular focus, but just working a job that doesn't serve any larger goal seems like a hollow way to spend your time. It doesn't have to be a medical breakthrough; it could be anything meaningful that leads toward something useful, beautiful, or even just genuinely interesting to you or the people around you. Otherwise, it feels less like living and more like you're just hiding from the world.

I'm with him on this one. 👍

Michael Lee75 said:I wouldn't go so far as to say you're crazy, honestly; there's nothing wrong with having ambitions and actually enjoying the grind, but if there isn't a single thing outside of your job that brings you any spark of joy, then yeah, that strikes me as a bit off. We don't exactly know what your line of work is, so I can't tell you if your career has some grander purpose or if you're just spinning your wheels for the sake of it. If you were, say, working at Mayo Clinic trying to develop a life-saving vaccine 😁, then I could wrap my head around that singular focus, but just working a job that doesn't serve any larger goal seems like a hollow way to spend your time. It doesn't have to be a medical breakthrough; it could be anything meaningful that leads toward something useful, beautiful, or even just genuinely interesting to you or the people around you. Otherwise, it feels less like living and more like you're just hiding from the world.

Of course other things bring me joy. I love grabbing coffee, hanging out with people, spending quality time with my family, or hitting up a mall here and there. It’s just that my "social battery" for those things drains way faster than most people's. And honestly? That works for me. 😁

Take grabbing coffee, for example. I'll meet someone, spend maybe 45 minutes or an hour, and my social quota for the next week—maybe even longer—is totally checked off. I don't have any desire to lounge around, sip lattes for three hours, talk shop, or gossip about people. On the flip side, I can sink massive amounts of time into my studies or chasing my dreams without feeling guilty or exhausted.
The coffee thing is just a basic, everyday example.
But something like staying up until dawn on New Year's Eve just because the calendar flipped? To me, that’s boring, maybe even kind of mindless. Same goes for watching sports that offer zero educational value, zero financial gain, or any actual benefit to my life. I tend to cut through small talk immediately, and I never do "cool" things just to look cool (though hey, more power to anyone who does).
What confuses people most is that my mindset, my way of thinking, and my whole outlook on life are just fundamentally different from the crowd. Even my look defies the norm. I’m not afraid to wear something bold or do my makeup a certain way just because society thinks it's "too much." For instance, I could rock bright pink hair for three months straight and not care one bit.
I don't do any of this for attention; I do it because it makes me feel whole.

If I had to describe myself, I'd say I'm like a weird cocktail of Freddie Mercury, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Prince, and David Bowie. One minute I'm in my own little bubble—an introvert, a perfectionist, a bit eccentric—and the next, I want to be the life of the party, an extrovert, a rebel, a total contradiction.

I’m not looking for everyone to accept me. You can’t please everyone anyway, and I’d much rather be my authentic self. That said, it’s not easy being an outlier. You have to deal with the fallout of not fitting in while still trying to live a life where you aren't constantly disappointing the people you love, like your parents.

As for my business, it's in digital marketing. The whole point of it is to use the internet to reach the people who *aren't* part of the mainstream—people who are, you know, a bit like me. So, you could say certain people definitely benefit from what I do.

When it comes to internet marketing, I honestly doubt anyone is actually seeing any real benefits from it. ☕

It all looks great on paper, really. You’re young, you’re driven, you’ve got that spark... but honestly? You’re cruising straight toward what people call
"burn out." The real trick is making sure you actually carve out some downtime for yourself. I mean, waking up at 5:00 AM just to hit the gym—I don't even care which Gold's Gym you're hitting, it doesn't matter—but seriously? You clearly picked up this perfectionism habit from someone. Look, having goals and knowing what you want out of life is fine, but don't forget to actually live it. Life isn't some scripted Hollywood movie. Childhood dreams are one thing, but reality isn't perfect and it definitely isn't black and white. Things can flip 360 degrees in a heartbeat before you even realize it.

Look, you need to learn how to actually relax. If you’ve been grinding on a project for three days straight, then on the fourth day, just stop. Don't work for a few hours. Don't think about anything. Just stare at the ceiling. Or, if you absolutely have to do something, do something totally unplanned. You have this massive need to control every single second of your life. That isn't inherently bad, but it's also not healthy to never let your brain wander. It needs downtime. Try to loosen up a bit and stop taking everything around you so incredibly seriously. There’s plenty of time for all that later.

Joseph Bailey41 said:When it comes to internet marketing, I honestly doubt anyone is actually seeing any real benefits from it. ☕

Haha, I know how that sounds... I totally misspoken there.
It’s more like one of those skills that helps me see the bigger picture.
I only brought it up to give an idea of just how deep into this field I actually am.

Brandon Newman95 said:It all looks great on paper, really. You’re young, you’re driven, you’ve got that spark... but honestly? You’re cruising straight toward what people call
"burn out." The real trick is making sure you actually carve out some downtime for yourself. I mean, waking up at 5:00 AM just to hit the gym—I don't even care which Gold's Gym you're hitting, it doesn't matter—but seriously? You clearly picked up this perfectionism habit from someone. Look, having goals and knowing what you want out of life is fine, but don't forget to actually live it. Life isn't some scripted Hollywood movie. Childhood dreams are one thing, but reality isn't perfect and it definitely isn't black and white. Things can flip 360 degrees in a heartbeat before you even realize it.

I get where you're coming from. Look, I'm not forcing anything on myself right now. My current rhythm actually leaves plenty of breathing room for both myself and others, so my mental and physical health aren't taking a hit. Whatever the future throws at me, I'll deal with it and move on.
People change, people grow up, and nobody stays the same person forever—and I'm no exception.
It might sound intense when I say I work all day, but I'm not some robot with a rigid schedule from 7:00 to 8:00 AM detailing every single move I make... 😵🤣
It’s more like this: hit the gym, shower, grab breakfast, then head to college. When I get back from class, I take a 20-minute breather, then dive into studying for two or three hours. I handle whatever needs doing around the apartment—cleaning, cooking, whatever—then maybe squeeze in another hour or two of studying later. Plus, I spend a few hours on this "hobby," though it’s really becoming a full-blown career (there's still a long way to go before it's official). That’s basically it. I forgot to mention that I build in breaks between everything. I don't sit there with a stopwatch trying to whip myself into shape; I just work or study based on how much drive I actually have, whether it's a heavy day or a light one.
Obviously, if it's someone's birthday or something else comes up, the day looks different. All I meant to say was that I'm not some lunatic working non-stop without a break. 🙂

I don't see any issue here. Let them say whatever they want; isn't it likely just jealousy?

Look, you probably already realize that once you start feeling that positive vibe while doing your thing, you've already got plenty of it. Why not try using those convictions of yours to actually influence them? Maybe you could nudge them toward changing their own views—or at least getting them to buy into yours.

Even if it ends up being a total wash, just having that, I don't know, let's call it "resistance," might help you stop bottling everything up inside. I honestly think you'd feel a whole lot better for it.

Douglas Rogers5 said:Haha, I know how that sounds... I totally misspoken there.
It’s more like one of those skills that helps me see the bigger picture.
I only brought it up to give an idea of just how deep into this field I actually am.

I get where you're coming from. Look, I'm not forcing anything on myself right now. My current rhythm actually leaves plenty of breathing room for both myself and others, so my mental and physical health aren't taking a hit. Whatever the future throws at me, I'll deal with it and move on.
People change, people grow up, and nobody stays the same person forever—and I'm no exception.
It might sound intense when I say I work all day, but I'm not some robot with a rigid schedule from 7:00 to 8:00 AM detailing every single move I make... 😵🤣
It’s more like this: hit the gym, shower, grab breakfast, then head to college. When I get back from class, I take a 20-minute breather, then dive into studying for two or three hours. I handle whatever needs doing around the apartment—cleaning, cooking, whatever—then maybe squeeze in another hour or two of studying later. Plus, I spend a few hours on this "hobby," though it’s really becoming a full-blown career (there's still a long way to go before it's official). That’s basically it. I forgot to mention that I build in breaks between everything. I don't sit there with a stopwatch trying to whip myself into shape; I just work or study based on how much drive I actually have, whether it's a heavy day or a light one.
Obviously, if it's someone's birthday or something else comes up, the day looks different. All I meant to say was that I'm not some lunatic working non-stop without a break. 🙂

Look, if you aren't the one harassing us with penis enlargement gadgets and snake oil anti-fungal creams, then I honestly don't see what the issue is. 😁

Are you still living at home?

Mark Nelson said:Look, you probably already realize that once you start feeling that positive vibe while doing your thing, you've already got plenty of it. Why not try using those convictions of yours to actually influence them? Maybe you could nudge them toward changing their own views—or at least getting them to buy into yours.

Even if it ends up being a total wash, just having that, I don't know, let's call it "resistance," might help you stop bottling everything up inside. I honestly think you'd feel a whole lot better for it.

Honestly, that’s one of my biggest struggles. I’m constantly trying to work on this thing where I don't immediately shut down or push away the people I actually care about just because they don't "get" what I'm doing. Even when they *do* understand, I hate the idea of the things that make my life feel complete bleeding into my relationships with them—or vice versa. It's messy. I think my biggest hurdle is really just finding a way to sync up that frequency, you know? Trying to get the stuff I do to vibrate on the same level as the people I love without everything crashing into each other.

Joseph Bailey41 said:Look, if you aren't the one harassing us with penis enlargement gadgets and snake oil anti-fungal creams, then I honestly don't see what the issue is. 😁

Are you still living at home?

No way. No freaking way. 🤣🤣
It’s all about how you handle creators across different platforms—everything from YouTube to whatever else is trending. Take this one case, for instance. There’s this woman, a total "life guru" type, who just dropped a new book. I actually got the chance to read an advanced copy before it even hit the shelves to help get the ball rolling. Honestly? I liked it. And because I was handling the marketing side of things for the launch, I got compensated for my work on the project. Look, I don't just take any gig. I only touch projects that actually mean something. More importantly, I’m not one of those obnoxious spammers shoving ads down people's throats—you know the type, hitting up random strangers on Facebook who didn't ask for it. That's just tacky. Instead, I lean on Google and YouTube algorithms to find the right audience—the people who are actually out there searching for this specific topic or something close enough to it. It’s about precision, not noise.

So, here’s how I split my time: half the month is spent playing the dutiful child with my parents, and the other half is spent with my girlfriend. Since she and I have been together since forever, I usually spend about two to two and a half weeks straight with her—and obviously, I cover all my own expenses when I'm out there living my life.

My folks just don't get what I actually do for a living. Honestly, if I were working some "standard" 9-to-5—you know, flipping burgers at McDonald's or playing waitress at a local diner—they’d think life was easy. They’d be thrilled. But instead, I ended up doing something I actually love, even if it looks weird to anyone watching from the outside. When I've got a deadline looming, I can spend hours just staring at my screen, completely locked in. To them, it looks like I'm just idling away the day, staring blankly at a computer for no reason. But that's just how it works when you're deep in the zone. It's the nature of the beast. I love this work, I'm getting paid for it, and it’s perfectly legitimate. It's just... man, it's hard to explain the whole concept to people who don't see the gears turning behind the scenes.

I understand how parents feel. They want you to go out and socialize, thinking you're just wasting your life staring at a computer screen all day. Friends might also be jealous; people often struggle with envy when someone close to them suddenly finds success and starts earning well while they haven't. Envy is a natural human emotion and nothing to fear. Just avoid talking too much about your work or boasting about it.

To be perfectly honest, if I could somehow stumble upon a career path that ignited my passion quite like yours does—and one that actually paid out a decent salary to boot—I suppose I might also consider throwing caution to the wind and dedicating myself entirely to it. Everything in this life is temporary, I guess, but financial independence and the genuine sense of freedom that comes from it... that is something that truly lasts.

Carl Cox3 said:I understand how parents feel. They want you to go out and socialize, thinking you're just wasting your life staring at a computer screen all day. Friends might also be jealous; people often struggle with envy when someone close to them suddenly finds success and starts earning well while they haven't. Envy is a natural human emotion and nothing to fear. Just avoid talking too much about your work or boasting about it.

I’m not really going out of my way to talk about it. Honestly? Most people couldn't care less, which is totally fine by me. If someone actually corners me and asks how certain projects are coming along, I’ll give them a brief answer or just vaguely mention that I need to get back to "working on my own things." That’s pretty much the extent of it. I don't see the point in making a production out of it.

Frank Flores63 said:

Frank Flores63 I can't even begin to process this. It’s like watching someone try to build a skyscraper out of wet cardboard and then acting surprised when the whole thing collapses under its own weight. Honestly? I’ve seen better logic applied to a game of Connect Four. It’s just exhausting. You sit there, you read something like this, and you realize we’re just spinning our wheels in the mud while everyone else is driving past us in high-end SUVs. It’s all just noise. Total, absolute noise. Honestly, if I ever stumbled upon a career that actually fired me up the way yours does—and, you know, actually paid the bills—I’d probably be just like you. I’d drop everything, burn the boats, and go all in. Everything else in this life is temporary, just noise, but hitting that level of financial independence? That kind of stability creates a type of freedom that actually sticks.

I’m right there with you on that one. Don't get me wrong—it's not like I've gone full hermit or completely cut ties with the rest of civilization, but let's be real: I'm not exactly out there social climbing or spending my life in a crowd like some other people do. My circle stays small, and honestly? That's just how I roll.
Look, when I show up for someone—whether it’s a wedding, a new baby, or some big birthday blowout—I play it by the rules. I show up, I pay my respects, and then I just soak it all in. I don't go around making a scene or running my mouth about everything. I just try to enjoy the moment while it lasts, plain and simple. 😉
Look, I’m not the type who just goes out with people for the sake of being seen. That's just not how I roll. It isn't some burning desire of mine to be constantly hitting the town. Honestly? A coffee once a week with someone is about as much social interaction as I care to schedule. That's the limit. The funniest part, though—and this is ridiculous—is that I’m not even a shy person. I don't get nervous, I'm not timid, I don't freeze up. But whenever someone asks me, "So, what were you up to on Saturday night?" and I give them the honest answer—that I was just chilling at home—they look at me like I just admitted to a crime. They get this totally shocked expression, like staying in is some kind of weird anomaly. It's wild. 😵
God, people are just unbelievable. Seriously. It’s like every day I wake up and find some new way for someone to act completely irrational. You see it everywhere—just constant, baffling nonsense. Honestly, you can't make this stuff up. 🤣

As this thread keeps moving along, I’m honestly finding it harder and harder to pin down what the actual issue is here. ☕

It actually reminds me of a movie where a girl comes out to her parents, and they just shrug and say, "Okay, cool." Then, fifteen years later, she’s basically berating them on camera, asking how they could have been so indifferent. Because back then, she told them who she was, and they just gave her a lukewarm response. Her mother even asks her, "Well, what did you want us to do? Should we have thrown a big party?" And the daughter—who’s a grown woman and a director now—just replies, "Yeah, I wanted you to throw a party."

Honestly, I’m at a loss. What am I even supposed to say to that? 🤷

Joseph Bailey41 said:As this thread keeps moving along, I’m honestly finding it harder and harder to pin down what the actual issue is here. ☕

It actually reminds me of a movie where a girl comes out to her parents, and they just shrug and say, "Okay, cool." Then, fifteen years later, she’s basically berating them on camera, asking how they could have been so indifferent. Because back then, she told them who she was, and they just gave her a lukewarm response. Her mother even asks her, "Well, what did you want us to do? Should we have thrown a big party?" And the daughter—who’s a grown woman and a director now—just replies, "Yeah, I wanted you to throw a party."

Honestly, I’m at a loss. What am I even supposed to say to that? 🤷

🤣🤣🤣🤣
That actually gave me a good laugh.

At the end of the day, it seems like the whole conflict stems from me being closed off to everyone except my immediate family. I’ve been overthinking this, running through a thousand different scenarios in my head. There are certain things I genuinely enjoy, but instead of just owning them, people look at me with this pitying expression. It would probably make sense to just be blunt about it—to tell them, "Look, this is what I do, this is how I feel, and that's that. Period."

Honestly, I’m cut from the same cloth. I have this burning desire to build something of my own—you know, to actually be self-sufficient instead of constantly leaning on someone else. I want to be my own boss, and hey, if I can hire people along the way, even better. People love to whine about how there are "no jobs" out there, but seriously, why aren't you just creating one? To actually pull that off, though, I have to clear out all the mental clutter and distractions holding me back—which means I can't exactly live my life like everyone else does. My entire day usually revolves around getting my work done and then just... retreating. Meditating, chilling, whatever. For me, inner peace beats social butterfly vibes every single time. I’m totally fine disconnecting for hours, basically vanishing from the grid just to feel centered. It might sound crazy to some, but after thinking it through, I realized that diving deep into random stuff during my downtime—things most people think are useless, like reading books—actually gave me the edge I needed to turn a profit. I mean, I never expected to make money off books, especially since I’m just reading for fun, stuff totally unrelated to school or my job; I mostly did it because I was bored, but now I'm seeing that knowledge translate directly into real-world results. While everyone else is out grabbing overpriced lattes or wasting their lives socializing, I’m glued to YouTube watching something actually substantive or lost in a book. And as time slips away, I don't feel a lick of regret. This is just how I live, especially since I’m not exactly thrilled with my current paycheck or social standing right now—every single cent counts, and honestly, I wouldn't be happy even if I were pulling in some average corporate salary. Basically, it’s a trait of smarter people—we tend to have fewer friends, we need our solitary hours, and we'd pick cats over dogs any day because they're independent. Seriously, when someone asked me to watch their cat for a few days, I didn't feel even a hint of stress, whereas hanging out with a group of friends would have absolutely drained me. And look, since people who lack any real ambition always end up being jealous of anyone with a brain, you inevitably get labeled as a weirdo. When that happens, you have to lean into other "smart person" tactics—like sarcasm, just flat-out ignoring them, or staying completely stoic when people try to drag you down. For me, starting a business is just Phase One. Once I'm established, I'll have the leverage to work on my own terms and control my own schedule. Because let's face it, trying to grind alongside people who don't get it is just exhausting.