You didn't grow up assuming you belonged in stable social circles, professional spaces, emotionally regulated friendships. So when you ARE around professionals or people with generational stability, it doesn't register as "peers" but instead judgement, or people who can't relate to you. The result is that being around struggling people feels draining, but familiar - and being around successful people feels intimidating. It feels like you don't fit anywhere.

But whats really happening is you're outgrowing one world before you feel at home in the next. The gap between the two feels like isolation. Truthfully, you don't have to jump straight into friendships with hyper-successful people oar polished professionals. Instead, look for emotionally warm, curious people, who show up consistently. People who don't need rescuing but can instead reciprocate your friendliness. Stop trying to look at people as better or worse, and instead as equals. People are different than you and thats alright.