Why do I feel like I'm behind everyone else my age?

Feeling like you're behind everyone else your age is incredibly common and often reflects the pressure of societal timelines and social comparison rather than actual reality. Society creates artificial timelines for life milestones - graduating, getting married, buying homes, having children, advancing in careers - that don't account for individual circumstances, values, or paths. Social media amplifies this by showcasing others' achievements while hiding their struggles, setbacks, and the full context of their journeys. You're comparing your internal experience, complete with doubts and challenges, to others' external presentations of success. The truth is that everyone moves through life at different paces based on countless factors: family background, financial resources, health, opportunities, personal values, and life circumstances. Some people have advantages that accelerate certain milestones, while others face obstacles that require different timelines. Additionally, what looks like being 'ahead' might not align with what actually brings fulfillment or happiness. Someone who married young might envy your freedom to explore, while you envy their stability. The concept of being 'behind' assumes there's one correct path and timeline for everyone, which simply isn't true. Life is not a race with a finish line where everyone should arrive at the same time. Consider what 'behind' means to you and whether those benchmarks reflect your actual values or external pressure. Focus on your own personal development, goals, and what brings meaningful life to your life rather than arbitrary timelines. Remember that many people find their most fulfilling periods later in life, and there's no expiration date on happiness, success, or personal personal growth.