Is it normal to feel so mediocre?

82% Normal
6 Comments

This is my story. I was raised in a very small town. Since I was little, I was always praised because of how "smart" and "creative" I was. I personally never felt really special, but people around me just seemed to be so amused by me. My family, friends, teachers and just everyone seemed to "idolize" me in some way.

I tried really hard to fulfill people's expectations through my life. With every goal I reached, little by little I started to be more confident and to believe more in what people told me. I was particulary happy when I won a scholarship for a really nice university. However, that was just the start of my dark days.

I moved to a big university in a big city. I met lots of new people and that made me realize something; I was right all this time: I was never special at all.

It suddenly shocked me to discover that I was truly never going to be among the best in anything. And not only that, everyone here is just much better than me in every single way and it just feels overwhelming.

I guess that I was always just a big fish in a small pond. Here in the city it is just a whole other world and I my place is among ordinary people.

I feel depressed every single day here. I feel like a fool for thinking that I was actually so good when I was little. I don't want to return to my town either, because now that I know how the real world is, I will always know how mediocre I am. It doesn't matter what I do, I will always just be the farmer boy. I feel extremely unmotivated right now. I feel like I will never get to do something important.

And well, I just wanted to share my story and see what do you think. So, is this normal?

Voting Results
82% Normal
Based on 51 votes (42 yes)
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Comments ( 6 )
  • Paradiddle
    10 years ago

    This is a very normal feeling but it is horrible to compare yourself to others or try to pursue society's idea of success. I can guarantee you that everyone is so busy sounding important and sharing their successes that they fail to realize under their suit that they aren't too special either unless you're up there with Keiji Inafune. All that should matter to you is what you want to do, whether you're doing it or not and if you have fun doing it. If you have a special talent already then you're set and if you don't, don't delay and try something out.

    Trust me, the moment you cast aside other people's business and focus on you, you'll be stress free and a much happier person.

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  • tarikaybartugu
    10 years ago

    try drugs.

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  • AbnormallyAwesome
    10 years ago

    I am going through a similar phase. Well... on a lower level, meaning I didn't get to go to a university. I think the problem is where I had gotten my sense of self-worth from. If you say I'm worth something because I'm skilled and smart, you are also saying people who are not skilled are worth nothing. That of course is bullshit, but sadly it's also what todays society teaches us. I've come to realise that what defines me as a person is how I deside to live my life with the things I've been given.

    Being the best at everything is a service to nobody but yourself. It only creates envy and pride. While living for others, helping them achieve their dreams and believe in them is sometimes much more satisfying. I think that's also what your parents have been doing. It's love. And love is what makes life worth living.

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    You do realise that being a human puts you at the very top of this world, you are technically god.

    So why care about living up to others expectations, you make the rules my friend. Don't let social conditioning bring you down a peg, that shit is for suckers.

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  • Terence_the_viking
    10 years ago

    Keep calm and gently massage your Ego.

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    Seems like you are getting a dose of the harsh realities of life right now. It is pretty normal. You will feel better. Eat some fruit and relax.

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