Look there are countless online articles to these type of Q's but my situations a bit unique. I grew up with a lot of smart MFers around me that are making way more money than me. I got a decent even enviable to some paying job that I'm just not passionate about. I just always felt I was as smart and hardworking as those friends around me but certain things I got unlucky with and got some bad breaks.

The one benefit about my job is I have the freedom to explore other outlets. I'm trying to get into music and writing but its hard for me to stay optimistic in making it in one of those lanes considering how competitive is and with my limited experience. Just wondering if anyone has some words to the wise.

And I know money isn't everything, I just want to be at a comfort in my life where I don't have to worry about taking a vacation with my family.

Dont

Just… don’t

It's hard not to think about. I think maybe deactivating social media is the way to go.

Look in the mirror

Everybody has their own path. Some grew up rich, poor, abused, coddled, isolated, popular

Some are lazy, ambitious, smart, dumb, disabled, athletic, rude, kind

All of these things impact our mindset and who we ultimately become. Focus on your path because it’s nowhere near the same as anybody else’s path. They become that person due to their own circumstances. It just doesn’t make sense to compare yourself to them unless you are literally identical to them appearance, upbringing, and personality wise. This is impossible btw so the point is to focus on you

Be happy for others not jealous

I am happy for my friends they deserve all the success because they earned it. I just thought I'd be at the level they are at now

Get some advice from your friends, see what worked for them. Take that advice and adapt it to your life

Do you find yourself jealous of just your friends or most people?

Do you find yourself with a woe is me attitude? Self defeating? Like a Charlie Brown type

Be happy with what you got and strive for better. Get a plan for whatever "level" you think will make you happy. Praise and good luck!!

You have to be secure with who you are.

The more secure you are with yourself and your own path the less you will be truly worried about comparing yourself to others.

Understand that everyone has their own path. Figure out what you want out of life and take steps to get there. What others are doing won’t matter

I am in a better financial situation than most people in this country.

I can think of a lot of positive affirmations about myself (as well as some negative ones I could improve) But when your immediate friends are all objectively making more and doing more fun stuff with the money they have, it starts to take a toll.

quit looking to the external world for worth

nothing in the world can provide any feeling of security or value

Have you tried being happy for your seemingly more successful peers?

edit: nvm i just now read that comment

seems like they just haven’t had a setback like you had before

i got similar feelings, most of my friends already graduated uni or are about to and i had to quit uni for family and health reasons

sucks, but it is what it is. whenever i told someone about my story they congratulated me on coming this far because most people would’ve quit a long time ago.

you just gotta accept yourself and your own path, everything will come to place eventually.

f*** what other people think about your life, they’re not the one’s living it

I can't speak for those in countries where Capitalism isn't a factor but in America money buys you freedom to do a lot of things. It may not buy you happiness but you can't deny that it gives you security

what worked for me was to stop caring about others think

In a bit of a rut bro

find God

Attentive discrimination.

The true nature of our mind is silent, you know that moment of silence as one thought ends and before ones begin? Try to extend that moment of silence.

Then realize all of your other thoughts are just your ego trying to protect itself. The ego is always looking for excuses and reasons you can or can’t do something. Be active and discriminate any thoughts your ego is feeding you.“I can’t make it as a writer” your egos trying to protect itself from getting hurt, being a failure. “I’m smart but my friends keep getting lucky breaks” your egos trying to make itself feel better. Hope, desire etc. only fuels your ego more, let it all go

Killing your ego is really one of the hardest things tbh

This is an interesting concept. I always felt my ego was the reason I have accomplished a lot of the good things I have in my life.

Keep working and take care of yourself

Things will work out eventually, focus your energy on getting better each day

one way I try and avoid comparison stealing my joy is by not being exposed to those individuals existence. this is more easily done in regards to strangers and advertisers on the internet but not really feasible when it's your friends that got u a lil jealous.

i recommend sitting with it. really let the feeling linger and tease it apart. wuwei vibes