“I Am Feeling Left Behind”

At some points in our lives, many of us whisper this sentence to ourselves, while scrolling, comparing, watching others move ahead 

“I am feeling left behind”

Left behind in careers, in relationships, in things you were told should've happened by now. Interestingly, this feeling rarely comes from where we are and largely from where we think we should be. 

Humans are wired to compare. This is how we learn, evaluate, and make sense of the world. But somewhere along the way, comparison quietly turns into a measuring scale for self worth.

Who got married first. Who earns more. Who is “settled.”

Who seems happier, calmer, more confident, more certain.

By a certain age, you should have this. By now, you should feel that. If not, something must be wrong.

The goal is not to reach the shore first by rowing a boat.

The goal is simply to reach the shore or even to decide whether you want to reach that shore at all.

Some people have motorboats. Some are kayaking steadily. Some get a ride. Some are handed a boat. And some are still collecting wood, learning how to build one.

It’s okay to be where you are

It’s okay if you’re reading two books less than your friend.

It’s okay if you haven’t found “the one” yet.

It’s okay if your life looks quieter, slower, or messier than others’.

It’s okay to be where you are

Instead of asking, “Why am I not there yet?”

Try asking, “What am I learning here?”

And instead of rushing yourself forward, consider this:

You are allowed to take the time your life requires.

• Yashika Dalvi