Thread: Are you where you expected to be in life?

In terms of what you were thinking 10 years ago, like where your life would be now and how it would have panned out...

Are you where you expected to be?

I feel like some of my expectations were delayed a few years. Like, I thought I would get married sooner than I did for one. i also figured I would own a home by now as well. I feel like life isn't where I expected in many of the common regards... Health, wealth, property but I am still mostly happy. I do wish I saved more, spent less, and actually planned ahead more. Time goes really fast.

Nope! Everything is so much worse!

Hmmmmm...I was 16 10 years ago, so I didn't even have a concept of the "real world" yet. That being said, my parents talked with me a lot and explained/guided me through a lot of things, so I think I've done even better than expected. I started college at age 17 so at 16 I must have been considering my major. I went in for Computer Science, and I stuck with that for 2 years before the Calculus classes became too much for me and I transferred my credits over for a minor in Com Sci. with a major in Business Management. I thought that if I can understand the programming aspects of Comp Sci. and the only thing holding me back is math, then I should be able to open a business for or become a manager of tech people, since I 'speak their language'. All too often you see (particularly in video game companies) businessmen who don't understand technology at all calling the shots while tech people scramble to catch up to the ludicrous demands. I thought I would bridge that gap.

I graduated with a Business Management major and IT minor, then went directly into Grad School and got an MBA while working as a grad assistant at a business development office. When I graduated, they kept me on as a contractor while I did my travels in Japan and met my wife. 10 years ago I never had any idea that I would be married. I knew I WANTED to get married, but didn't know if it was in the cards for me. These days I'm looking for a house, my investments are doing decently well with this economy, and I've been hired full time by that development office!

This isn't where I expected to be, and to be quite honest it's more than I would have felt comfortable wishing for. I knew I wasn't gonna be a NEET, but I didn't expect to have a steady job, spicy foreign wife, cute dog, and several years worth of investments by age 25/26. I worry sometimes that this is a peak, and I will hit a low point in my 30's or something, since most people experience hardship in their 20's before they have things sorted out. I don't want to have a wife & kids relying on me if shit hits the fan, and things are already suspiciously good these days.

! This is my 666th post !

There was a lot of delays which were caused by myself.
But it seems like Im getting what Im aiming for.

Oh man, yes and no? With out getting into too many details my life has been pretty rough (which is probably an understatement) and I a lot of health problems, while not life threatening they make day to day life a bit harder. So I haven't had too much success career wise. I was going to college for a bit with a 4.0, but had to drop out because of the health thing. I also just couldn't handle the stress. I honestly don't think I can make it the full 8 years. (Was aiming to be a psychologist.) Thinking of going back and doing online at some point with a different major, but who knows. :o So career wise, not really? At the same time, I'm still kind of proud I've been able to work as a freelance artist on and off. It's not super stressful and it gives me plenty of time at home in case my health problems flair up.

Now if we want to talk about mental health and that kind of stability... Quite honestly I'm impressed how far I've come. I still have some things to work on like anyone else, but I totally take pride in my friends saying I'm one of the most stable people they know. For the first time in my life I'm finally starting to feel like I'm on the right track to getting my shit together, in my own unique kind of way. I don't think my life would work for everyone, but I'm excited to see where it goes.

On a depressing yet positive note, ten years ago I truly believed I wasn't going to be sticking around if you catch my drift. I didn't feel like I had any other options. Now I'm the complete opposite of that. I'd rather not die any time soon, I feel like my life has just barely started. It's funny how much things can change with time, maturity, and a change of environment. Sorry if my response is a bit on the heavy side!

Interesting question. I am definitely not where I pictured myself to be, some few years ago. For one, I thought I'd be very rich, have a stable relationship, and have a kid by now. I can confidently say I have achieved none of those expectations, haha! Notice that I have bracketed all of them together because in my mind, they would follow each other in that order. Things are however looking up for me and I think with a little patience, I'll definitely get there.

Ten years before the OP, I was starting to feel sorry for myself and had been a state of denial about the shit truly hitting the fan for over six months; the reality of my life-changing illness was finally sinking in.

The fairly normal life I lived was now over. I decided to just expect nothing to "just happen" and take every new day as it came.

Am I where I expected I'd be? I was told surgery might be an option but there'd be a wait. I didn't know that meant a decade and eventually gave up on hoping altogether. When this surgery was arranged about two weeks ago out of the blue, I certainly wasn't expecting that. Ten years ago I never guessed that I'd eventually become a candidate. I might not have a career and I might not have a girlfriend. What I do finally have is a second chance... sure ain't gonna waste that.

Don't worry about that, I've wasted all the spare chances going!

I would have to say no.

I fell for the stupid trap that a lot of stupid kids fall into. That going to college was gonna be my ticket into the middle class. I went into broadcasting with the intent of working at one of the local TV stations. Seemed like a good career. Well, I went into it, graduated and when I started working in TV I got paid jack shit. Pizza delivery guys were getting paid more than I was. That combined with the fact that I didn't like a good number of folks there, I ended up quitting and got several other jobs just trying to get by. Then there was a point where I got laid off from my job and spent 6 months unemployed trying to find work and getting turned down left and right. It was certainly a bitter time in my life, kicking myself for not being smart about what field to go into and my college years ultimately yielding nothing.

It was however I learned is that's how you learn. People end up doing stupid shit and I was no exception to this rule. Sometimes, you got to learn life lessons the hard way. If there's one thing that I have going for me, it's not letting things drag me down. I got it from my folks really. My dad especially does a damn good job of dealing with tragedy and I try my best to follow suit. Despite all that has happened to me, I feel lucky. I have parents that love and give a shit, I have some damn good friends who I enjoy good company with and I got a job where my supervisors like me and allows me to afford the things I like. Could things be better? Hell yes they could but I've come to learn that there's a time where you need to stop and appreciate the things you have. Honestly, the most I want in life is a secure living, good friends and merriment and for the most part, I think I've hit that goal.