to feel inferior and ashamed

[utreas]

I went out for a meal with my younger sister and brother tonight and the difference between them and me is so stark. Everything from their attitudes to their clothes shouts success whilst in comparison I looked like frumpy no-mark. When it came to choosing the food and wine they both wanted really expensive steaks and a really pricey bottle of wine whilst I have to be more modest (we?re not on the breadline but we?re not wealthy either). In the conversation sis is looking at buying a new car and was talking about how she wants to get an A1 whilst I drive a banger and bro is looking at renting a city centre penthouse apartment whilst I live in a house that badly needs renovating. Sis is a successful recruitment consultant and bro has just graduated but already got a marketing executive job and it just seems that they have made so much more of themselves and their lives than I have (the best job I?ve ever had was as an admin assistant).
It goes further because they are now both planning a trip to the World Cup in Brazil and so that will be another great experience that I won?t have. We all grew up in the same house and had the same opportunity but they have made such a better fist of it and in comparison I feel inferior and I?m quite ashamed when I think about it.

[Dahlen]

If your siblings were living on the poverty line, you'd probably feel very lucky in comparison. Apparently, our level of contentment is determined by how well we compare to those in our social circle. That's all very normal and doesn't really say anything about you.

That said, I'd say this has more to do with you being unhappy with your own life, not feeling inadequate compared to your siblings. If you were genuinely happy, the comparison would probably make you laugh rather than feel bad. The key is "they have made a much better fist of it" which to me suggests you are beating yourself up for failing to realise your potential or for making 'bad' choices.

The key to feeling better is to set yourself a task and achieve it. It doesn't have to be anything life-changing. It could be as simple as taking up a new form of exercise once a week, or decorating a room at home. Keep building on that. The more you do, the higher your self esteem, the greater your confidence, the more you aim for and the more you achieve.

However, success is not always defined by material means. I'd rather count among my friends the kind and poor than the rich and selfish, so don't find yourself wanting just because you drive a banger instead of an audi.

[Pinupgirl]

I feel for you op-I compare myself and our situation-too many kids in too small a house-too others and it really gets me down. I know that a lot of the reason for my dh's apathy to doing something to get us out of this situation is due to the fact that he compares himself to work collegues/peers who have done so much better than us-huge homes,great hols,dcs in private schools etc. I don't care what anyone says-it is bloody depressing.

[DontmindifIdo]

I do hate when there are threads like this people trot out "I bet it's all on credit" or "they won't be happy" - because a lot of people who are sucessful aren't up to their eyeballs in debt or miserable. It's also a bit nasty to be encouraging the OP to hope her siblings' lives aren't going as well as they present to the world.

Anyway OP, you have a very different life to your Dsiblings, are you the only one with DCs? they might look at you as the one who's got their life sorted if you've got a family and a proper home (rather than just a place they live at the moment). Even if they have more stuff, they might not notice you don't have those things/couldn't afford them if they aren't suitable for your life. Pre-DCs DH did a couple of trips to rugby world cups but now he wouldn't, not because of finances but because those holidays aren't really compatable with having a family - they probably would assume the Brazil trip wouldn't be suitable for you so hadn't stopped to think if you could afford it even if you wanted to go.

I bet they'd be really upset to read your opening post and think they made you feel that way.

Focus on what you have in common, not stuff but attitudes and shared history. And think about your life choices that have lead to you this point, is there anything you think you should have done differently, would you give up what you have now? I know I could have made different choices that might have lead to a more affulent lifestyle, but if I'd taken those routes it's unlikely I'd have met DH, so I wouldn't have my beautiful DCs and god knows what sort of wanker I've had ended up with....

[cantreachmytoes]

"The happiest people do not have the best of everything, they make the best of everything they have."

I feel for you OP. It's hard, even if you normally don't think about it and then it just pops up as it did for you over dinner.

If you're 31, you still have about 35 years before retirement age. A few years out to retrain seems like a lot on one hand, but when you look at the big picture, it's not so long really.

If you don't want to change careers, then your lucky to be doing something you actually like/want to stay in. Either way, you are not inferior to them anymore than someone earning less than you is to you.

[Mojavewonderer]

Aww I feel for you. My brother owns a successful business and owns a yacht and I am just a sahm married to a aircraft engineer so big difference there. I do have an edge though because I have lived abroad for a number of years and my brother has always wanted to live abroad but he can't relocate his business. My other brother has a good job but lives at home so while I would love my mum to look after me at least I have my own house lol.

[TroublesomeEx]

I don't compare myself negatively to anyone.

I have the shittest family of anyone I know.
The least money of anyone I know.
I'm the only lone parent I know.

But I'm as happy as any of them and happier than some.

The answer really is being grateful for what you have. Would you want an expensive car (I know I wouldn't) or to rent a city centre penthouse (doesn't interest me).

Just making comparisons won't achieve anything. Look at what you've got, what you're happy with, what you'd like to change about your own life and then act on that.

[exoticfruits]

I would call 31yrs very young and you can make changes, if you want to. They are even younger- who can tell where they will be in 20 or so years time?
I expect they caught you at a bad moment. Either you are generally happy with your life or you have things you want to change- but don't let the comparison colour it.

[Tee2072]

I changed careers at 40, had a baby then too.

31 isn't old at all.

[Jinty64]

Our neighbours have great careers. They have paid off their mortgage and have, at least, two holidays a year. They drive naice cars and on the face of it have an enviable life. However he doesn't keep well and, I know, they would swap the whole lot for just one of my children.

I know what I would rather have.

[Mimishimi]

YANBU but do they love and care for you or do they inyend to make you feel diminished? My brother went through a really hard time compared to the other two of us in his twenties and he was really embarrassed about it for a while. Once he realised that we only saw him as our brother, not as competition, did he relax a bit and then he got into a career doing something he really loves( rather than trying to be something he couldn't) and is probably doing better, lifestyle and healthwise, than me now :)

[Monty27]

OP just be you and proud of what you have. I need reminded of that every day. I bet your db and ds love the bones of you. :)

[TeaAndABiscuit]

'Comparison is the thief on inner joy' is spot on and I'm going to remember that-a fantastic piece of advice.
I went to a party a while back-lots of successful surgeons and professionals and me not in that sphere. They were all talking about skiing and one of them said to me 'you don't ski do you xxx?' When I said no they had nothing else to say to me! I would rather be able to relate to and include people than make people feel small for not having a particular life style.
OP it's only your perception that there is nothing about you to envy. You sound grounded and lovely :)

[utreas]

I guess your're all right band I was probably being very negative last night.

[0utnumbered]

Never feel ashamed to be you! The way you've described them makes them sound great but if I were there with you 1. I don't give a shit about cars as long as they get me where I want to go 2. I would hate to do anything that involves sales and marketing, even the term makes me cringe, I'm also an admin assistant in a doctors surgery and I adore my job 3. I hate steak unless I've cooked it myself as I'm stupidly fussy and would of ordered off the kids menu if I could of got away with it lol

Their life isn't better than yours it's just different :) if you aren't happy surf bits then change them for yourself but otherwise, be proud to be who you are

[attheendoftheday]

Comparison is the thief of joy.

^This.

Hoi! You are inferior to nobody. That is all.

^And this.

[SPBisResisting]

Agree that admin people have transferable skills. I work in a technical environment and there are plenty of trainee type roles we'd give to someone currently working in admin but who had proved to have skills and interests in the field. And of course that's if you want to move out of admin which you may not.

[SPBisResisting]

Sorry phone

But I bet theres a natural next step up in this job or similar. Night classes, asking for more/different responsibilities in current role etc will get you there. Or take the plunhe and apply for something you fancy, you never know! Only do this if you are dissatisfied with your current job though.

[SPBisResisting]

Op did you enjoy seeing them at all? Do you feel any affection for them?
Are you like me by any chance - most clothes bought from the supermarkets? I went on a proper shopping trip to proper shops recently for the first time in about a decade, maybe longer. Sales were on and it wasn't much more expensive than the supermarkets but imo the clothes are much nicer and more flattering. It's given me a real boost.
Also at 31 you have plenty of time to enhance your career- if you want to that is. It doesnt have to be big and scary,

[Bamboobambino]

You're not inferior to anyone OP.
BUT, if it really is affecting you, channel the negative energy into night classes( or day) return to education. Get an OU degree or similar and go get that earning power of your own!

[daisychain01]

utreas, in your early 30s, you have loads, and I mean loads of time to make some important changes to maximise your life and potential. You are very young, in the grand scheme. Dont see your life as frozen in time and set in stone, but as being open to improvement. If anything, use your siblings' success as an example to follow, not a reason to put yourself down. And dont forget, life is a marathon not a sprint, it isnt a race to the finish line! Think about success as something you deserve at every point in your life, not as something for others but not for you.

Have you thought of some training or studies, as it will boost your self confidence and open new doors for you. The new academic year is shortly starting, you could look at part time courses to fit in around your work, family commitments etc. You could apply for a concession for fees if you are on a low salary. Uni's and colleges are very welcoming to "mature students" who have life skills and work experience, as they see those people as more stable. Education is the best way to open doors and create opportunities for yourself!

[raisah]

10 years ago i was in a bad place but now I'm in a much better place personally & career wise. I have carved a niche career for myself and years ago people would look down on me but not so much now.

There is no reason why you can't retrain, put yourself forward for jobs that earn more money. Don't belittle the admin assistant role, if you break down the skills that you have acquired they will be transferable to a lot of sectors. The term admin role is just generic, a lot of them particularly in the NHS & higher education require a highly specialised skills set.

[Secretswitch]

Op, I struggle with envy a great deal and for many reasons. I am really working on gratefulnes. I wish I had a magic spell to cast away the feelings of inferiority that occurs when I see other's with so much more wealth.

[Funghoul]

I used to feel like this about my brother. He's five years younger and married with a house. Me and dp rent and are a long way off having money for a wedding. That said, we sat down and talked about marriage. We truly are happy as we are. We're committed and a piece of paper won't really change much apart from my name. I have a crappy job with not many prospects, but I've come to realise I'm not career minded, I work to live. We have a beautiful 3 month dd. our little family is worth more than all the money in the world.

You don't need to have a lot to be happy, you sound like you need your confidence building up. No one should feel inferior to anyone else just because they don't have flash cars, or penthouse apartments. Take stock and I'm sure you'll find something in your life that makes you feel happy and proud to be you.

[Secretswitch]

Damn skippy..comparison isthe thief of joy!