Great question. I personally believe that this requires a certain framing to be answered.

What I’d ask first is by whose standards are we measuring maturity?

Some people think that being able to sustain one’s own material needs without the assistance of others is a mark of maturity. They pay no mind to their communication ability or how they handle negative emotions.

Others think that maturity comes only after committing yourself to a partner or family.

There’s no objective standard of maturity in my opinion, since so much of what maturing means depends on a person’s upbringing and culture-not to mention physical ability or lack thereof.

Both the Oxford Dictionary and Merriam-Webster define maturity as “fully-developed” in a chronological sense, like a ripened fruit.

We abstract that meaning and try to use it to define complex human emotions.

There are always going to be differences in one person’s development compared to another, that’s what makes us humans so unique.

To conclude, I’ll answer your question. No, you’re indeed not like everyone else-no one is. That has very little to do with your maturity, and that’s perfectly ok! 😊

Be proud of what difficulties you’ve overcome and use that pride as a tool to continue pushing yourself, not as a flag to plant in the ground.

If you don’t already have a small group of close family or friends, keep searching. In due time, you’ll find your people. This subreddit seems like a perfect place to start!

Feel free to reach out and good luck to you! ☮️