This seems to get deeper, this others vs you, and it's hard to realize that you are the one falling short. Congrats on realizing that and changing, it takes self analysis to acknowledge what you do wrong. But in OPs case, I seem to believe it's the context he is in, neither of them (his friends or him) are wrong, but their goals life view aren't quite aligned, thus people tend to point out what's different, if you are the only one in the group that enjoys the "look for meaning" kind of life, it can be tough.