Do you ever feel like you've not really done anything in life?

[GoodToKnowDoris]

I work in a reasonably well paid, professional job that could be a lifelong career if I wanted it to be, but it's something I fell into when I was 17 and first starting out working, not something I planned to do and I've just sort of stuck with it because I know how, not because I enjoy it.

I'm married with a DC on the way (for which I'm incredibly happy) and have bought our first home this year.

However, I just feel like if anyone ever said to me whats the best thing you've ever done, what makes you proud that you've achieved, what's the most exciting thing you've done? I'd have nothing to say.

I haven't been to uni and got a degree in something I wanted to do, I don't have a job I really like, I've never been travelling, I don't have a hobby I'm really into. I wouldn't even know where to start with what I liked doing to be honest and if someone said you could do any job you wanted, I'd have no idea what I wanted to do.

I'm not unhappy with life, but I do sometimes think I've not really achieved anything with it so far which makes me a little sad but at the same time I don't even know where to begin changing that.

There’s no obligation to have “achieved” anything in life and honestly, most people do just dither along in a state of mediocrity their entire lives. Very few people really change the world. It’s only relatively recently, I suspect, that the majority of people really worried about this or thought of it as a character deficit and probably has a lot to do with social media and the rise of self-promotion.

If you’re unfulfilled - which is an entirely different state of being - then think of things which would make you feel more of yourself or keep you active, and then go about doing them, rather than looking to “achievements” and “living your best life.”

I've never really done anything. I've wasted my life and I regret it.

Are you contented? I am. That’s what’s important to me.

I recommend a podcast called French Kiss Life. Very inspiring.

I achieved to be happy with who I am and what I have.

Hmm I know what you mean in a way, but kind of attribute it to the internet. I am contented, travelled, have a degree, ok job (not the most stimulating, but pay is ok) family (wish it was bigger), we own the house, are comfortable.
My life just isn’t particularly exciting!

You aren’t alone. I have achieved absolutely nothing so far. I’m in a dead end job, with no skills or anything noteworthy to speak of, and I hate it. I wish I could even say I am content with what I have, but I’m not. Most people I know do genuinely seem to be happy living the quiet life which is lovely for them. I‘d love to know how they do it.

I haven’t really achieved anything on paper but I don’t feel that way. Sounds twee but I don’t base my happiness on that sort of achievement. I’m a good person/mother/daughter/friend. I make other peoples lives better for being in them as they do mine.

I could have written this.
I think a great deal of people will really relate.

If you are pregnant now, you are not that old. There's bags of time!
You've got your house, relationship and pregnancy sorted.
In my twenties and thirties it was all about that and setting ourselves up.
Maybe when you have your baby you'll go back to that job you don't really like part time and start thinking about what it is you'd really like to do.
All those folks on Desert Island Discs and Newsnight aren't young.
I'm not saying we have to go to that level, but I am making the point that time and priorities may point you in the right direction. You are still sorting yourself out if you see what I mean.
Enjoy your baby.

No I'm not that old, I'm 27. I know there's time. I just feel like if there was something I really wanted to do in life I should know what it is by now!

Oh god I feel you OP I could have written the post. I'm 34 and I'm finally content - got an amazing fiance, own my own house, left a job I hated and started my own business which is doing well, got a lovely little dog, great family.

Still got an itchy feeling that I'm wasting my life or that time is running out for... What? I have no idea. I think it's because I always wanted to DO something to shine brighter than childhood bullies and even though they're mediocre I don't want to be. I want to be perceived as someone exciting when in reality I'm happiest at home with my little family.

I did an exercise where you draw a horizontal line and the start is birth, end is now. You draw lines up for positive events and lines down for negative. It's a good way to see the big stuff. I had some real highs with good achievements but also huge lows. The sort where people feel sorry for you because you fell so far.

Be careful what you wish for, the highs are often accompanied by huge lows.