I ask this because I feel this way. Everyone in my peer group (age 26–27, and on my Facebook newsfeed residually from college and post-college) has a strong core group of friends, a career, hobbies/activities, a nice car, apartment, and clothes, they go to nice restaurants, and have a developed sense of security. My guy friends all have wives or girlfriends, and often spend their free time with them and/or posting photos of their escapades on Facebook. I, coming out of a destructive two year relationship, having graduated from college a year late and then coming back to the U.S. from a year abroad, and still trying to figure out what I want career-wise, constantly feel “behind” my friends, to the extent that I often lose my sense of belonging and feel alien to my peers in many ways. I often feel like I’m so far behind I’ll never catch up, and always be the odd man out. It’s a terrible feeling. I’m trying to make changes, meet people, apply to new jobs, but I never feel as if there’s enough time during the day to make any substantive changes. I’m having a hard time picking a career because I feel that every career is so extremely competitive right now, there are very few job openings, and I don’t have the undergraduate grades to get into grad school. My question for you all is, do you feel like this, or have you ever in your life, and how did you get yourself out of it? I love hearing about how people have confronted major life challenges and improved themselves, but for me, I’m having a hard time visualizing a similar path. I’d love to hear if anyone has any insights.

Topics: life, social, problem solving, career, life questions