Alternatively: you are having quality life experiences, do good by your friends, and engage with your community. You don’t need to compare yourself to historical overachievers.

I have to remind myself of this constantly, because our culture won’t.

And what was he doing for decades PRIOR to that which possibly gave him the experience and skills…

He was 38 when he started writing The Hobbit, FYI

But wait, I’m in my 60s.

Also most people are kinda on auto-pilot/following the rails until they finish school(and that’s fine). Even the ones who did really crazy shit very likely had parental guidance which means it’s not your fault your parents didn’t craft you into a race car driver or whatever.

Once they really get out into the world they’re, what, 22-26? Older sometimes? We hit 30 and say “in 30 years I’ve done nothing” as if we had full agency and control for that entire time. You know how old the average person is when they’ve had twice the life experience of another average person who just turned 30? Probably around 40. That’s it, you’re good.

He was already a university professor and fought in WWI, tho…

He spent 20 years worldbuilding and wrote Hobbit before it.

But never fully finished it. Should have started earlier.

Aight back to bed until I’m 46