> The problem with living inside your own head is that unlike everyone else, you judge yourself by what you think you could be rather than what you are. It's a sort of self deception at play.
I really like what you said here. When I think about my more "well-adjusted" friends, I see that they have a solid set of criteria to compare their achievements against: a decent job, an apartment, having friends. It amounts to a basic societal checklist that they can succeed against.
Living in your own head is like extending the goal every time you reach it. It's like having a carrot attached to a stick that moves with you.
I have this conversation with my wife occasionally.
Those moving goalposts are the difference between 'doing ok' and 'making progress'.
I had a solid job, benefits, place of my own to live, friends, and a spouse at 25. I went stir-crazy though - at that point, you've 'succeeded', what is left to do? What's next?
To muddy the metaphor a little - once you've mastered the 30yard field goal, why keep kicking it? Back up and try the 40, 50, etc. That said, I do think it's important to remember that you have mastered the 30, and that failure at the 80 isn't 'failure' in anybody but your own eyes.
I really like what you said here. When I think about my more "well-adjusted" friends, I see that they have a solid set of criteria to compare their achievements against: a decent job, an apartment, having friends. It amounts to a basic societal checklist that they can succeed against.
Living in your own head is like extending the goal every time you reach it. It's like having a carrot attached to a stick that moves with you.