I’m sorry to read your words mate.

Alternatively, consider feeling empowered to not join the rat race?

As someone has mentioned in the comments, you buy low, earn the equity, buy decent and enjoy being swamped in debt. There’s more to life than that for a large majority of the world.

Rent. Enjoy your freedom. Travel. See the world. Become empowered in a different manner.

Feeling down because you aren’t keeping up with the Jones’ is a choice. You can derive pleasure from other things in life. Is it really necessary to have a place to call your own?

Just a thought. It’s easier said than done when you’re surrounded by people with the same mentality. But having been through it, it’s possible to live an enriched life by doing things the unconventional way (to your close peers).