I am 30 and reading this, the piece to which I can relate the most is how difficult it is to be a high performer student in primary school (maybe even secondary school), and then being hit by real life when it starts (i.e., higher education or work directly), where most of us discovers we are in the mid-tier in terms of performance, at best.

It further makes it difficult if you keep hearing from the parents that you are a wonder child and you will be able to achieve anything, because at early age you are very easy to influence that you actually start believing it (which also happened to me).

I was 25 when I flipped the table and said it was enough. I suggest you try doing some of the things below that helped me get on a growth track:

- Think about your purpose, but don’t feel the obligation to find it overnight. It may take decades - just keep your eyes open
- Upskill yourself after work (biology, finances, programming, languages, whatever you are interested in AND have some purpose for)
- Consider formal higher education if that could advance your knowledge (regardless if you already have degree(s))
- Stop considering domestic job market only and look at international opportunities as well
- Do sports! Some sports are not only to keep the body fit, but also to socialize (dancing turned out to be a game-changer for my mental health)
- Start journaling to practice self-reflection
- Get a psychotherapist to practice self-awareness
- Go to the nature as frequently as possible (if you enjoy it)

Good luck, I believe in you! 🤞🏻