Ambitions/achievements by certain ages

[AnastarziaAnaqway]

I'm 30 in a few months and I've never really wanted to climb the ladder as such.
I've always worked in education/support work. Currently work in a high school as support staff, i'm a qualified teacher but don't think the workload/pressure is worth it.
I also tutor part-time, work less than 40 hours a week, holidays all free etc. And yearly I make around 18.5k.

I've never thought of working my way up to managerial roles or anything, just wanted to do a career that I enjoy/people are nice and that allows me to live without struggling.

My friends of the same age are all earning high 20s/low 30s a year, a few are in managerial roles, and all own houses apart from those in London.

They drive quite decent cars too and live in good areas.

Sometimes I feel inadequate. The only reason I feel like I should buy a house is for security in retirement age, I have zero interest otherwise.

I've never been interested in these achievements, I am happy as I am but recently started to compare myself and wonder if i've not done very well.

I have a few hundred pounds of savings and that's it. Just feel like a lot of people do what they think it is that adults should do and it doesn't necessarily make them happier.

Does my situation sound ok ?

What do you want from this thread, OP?

You will either get validation from a bunch of complete strangers who know nothing about you, or you will get told that you should be earning six figures and have five kids by now which will make you feel like shit.

As someone who is also approaching a big zero-ended birthday (albeit, sadly, not one beginning in a three) I would say that one of the single most important quotes I have ever been given is “Comparison is the thief of joy”. Make peace with yourself and your own decisions. If you want to change things then do so but do it to bring you happiness and fulfilment, not to keep up with the Joneses.

I’ve just turned 30 and I’ve also been made redundant. I’ve actively chosen to ignore a “career” and take a job I enjoy with fewer hours and live on less with better quality of life.
So I’d say no issue at all but totally get the inadequacy feelings!

You don’t sound very ambitious but that’s ok if you’re happy. How do you see your life panning out? Are there any things you do want to achieve?

If you are happy it really does not matter what anyone else thinks/does.

Not everyone is driven by accumulation of material wealth, if you are not so much the better for you & the environment.

My personal position is that I prefer a higher level of savings than you but it's because I have two children & so financial stability is important to me.

Work out what makes you happy in life and what you need to fund your chosen lifestyle. Everybody has their own standards of what constitutes "enough". Personally I have a fear of poverty which means I save more than most people on my salary. Other people are more relaxed. Some are spendthrift. Each to their own (whilst you're single at least).

Life is certainly too short to hate what you do job wise, so I'd say liking your job is very important. That's different to be ambitious though. Likewise you can be very driven in your career without it being about money.

There is no one right way to live your life.

Does my situation sound ok ?

It sounds perfect to me.

I do understand what you're saying. I'm an accountant but have always worked for not-for-profit organisations, rather than joining the race to the top of one of the Big 4 (accountancy practices). I used to wonder if I should be 'doing better' (whatever that means). If it's any consolation, I stopped worrying as I got older.

I'm happy and I mean really happy. You sound happy too

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace

Does my situation sound ok ?

It sounds perfect to me.

I do understand what you're saying. I'm an accountant but have always worked for not-for-profit organisations, rather than joining the race to the top of one of the Big 4 (accountancy practices). I used to wonder if I should be 'doing better' (whatever that means). If it's any consolation, I stopped worrying as I got older.

I'm happy and I mean really happy. You sound happy too

That’s brilliant 😊

If you're happy then your situation is perfect for you. Everyone has different motivations and ambitions.

Personally, I've not been 30 long, I work part time around my husband and kids. To us its important that we are always there for our daughters and we dont want to put them into breakfast or after school club so I'm happy where I am on the career ladder. My husband has his own business and I'm happy to be supporting him in that. We dont own our home but we are saving to own one. We live a very stress free life and that's the way we like it

You sound happy and in a good place to me.

3 things to check in on yourself with.

Are you happy with your work life balance?
Do you enjoy what you do?
Have you achieved/can you see yourself achieving what you want in life?

If you can honestly answer yes to those 3 questions then I think you're in a better position than a lot of these high earners.

If it helps, I'm also almost 30, I work part time as a receptionist, earn less than £16k.

I enjoy my job, working 3 days gives me a good balance and I have achieved pretty much what I want to in my life so far.

But the overall thing is, I am happy and I think you are too.