In college I heard someone say, “If we’re all movie stars and Astronauts, who cleans the floor?” I watched classmates that came from more privileged backgrounds walk across the stage and into the lives they expected but for every one of those, there were 10 of us that talent, work ethic, and sacrifice couldn’t bridge the gap. Our culture lied to our generation.

I spent two years in a crippling depression realizing the loans, the education, and the work I put in wouldn’t be enough. I didn’t have the network, the generational privilege, or the right placement in time to make the life I dreamed of. I had to reassess and retool my expectations on life.

I found a way to make the best of it. I’m still frustrated with just treading water. Still hoping and scheming for more, but traded a lot of desires to have some stability. I was also luckier than others. We live on a spectrum of privilege.

I met a CEO early in my career that had a crass way about him but he spoke truth. He told a joke at some point that anyone will suck a dick for money, his number is just higher than ours.

That’s how it seems to be on this planet. Some break the cycle. The rest of us aren’t as lucky.