In still in my 20s. Usually when people grad they start off around the same but I notice as people get older and their wealth compounds so do gaps between people. This inevitably means you will fall behind some of your friends and will never keep up. Does this lead to jealousy or feeling of inadequacy when the disparities between people grow? Is it also worth sacrificing my 20s in work so I don’t fall behind in my 30s? I prioritised stuff like travel and friendships/relationships in my 20s while my mates do 60 hour weeks. I know they will probably reap the benefits later and move up the ladder to partner or something. Should I do the same or accept being behind in order to have time for other aspects of life. I know it sounds immature but I am a very comparative person and know I will be bothered about being behind in my 30s.
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Is the only thing you care about in life success in a career? Then yes all of that will matter and if you aren’t the one at the top you will probably be jealous of the ones that are.
But if that isn’t all you care about it never needs to be an issue (this will also require friends who care about more then just career success). I have a friend who is my age, his house is worth probably around a million, because real estate isn’t absolutely insane in our area, daily drives a $100k wagon and has a McLaren as one of his multiple fun cars. I on the other hand don’t own a house yet, just bought my first brand new car ever (a 2025 Mazda CX-5), my fun cars consist of an is300 I bought for $3500 6 years ago and a crown Victoria I inherited. The difference in income has never been an issue in our friendship. He doesn’t care if you make a lot of money or not, he cares if you are a good person, which is how I am. I have never been jealous of him and the things he has. I would love to own a couple of his cars but that’s not in the cards for me right now and may never be. But we are both on our own paths in life.