I was one of the top three students of my graduating high school class. People expected big things of me. I also had undiagnosed medical problems and an abusive childhood behind me. I chose to go deal with my personal issues instead of pursuing public accomplishments and approval. I didn't stop feeling like a loser until my medical condition was properly identified when I was 36. After that, I was finally able to start getting my act together.
But it wasn't quick or anything. There was a lot to address. I still feel frustrated with a lot of things, even though I am pretty confident of the choices I have made. I know I still have massive public image problems, which makes me crazy, and a lot of things feel incredibly unfair to me.
Just start working on your problems. The only remedy for regret is to fix things that went wrong. When that is not directly possible, still try to fix things. (I know a woman whose child died. She is still researching his cause of death in order to benefit other people, even though it won't bring her child back.)
"Nothing takes the past away like the future." -- Madonna
But it wasn't quick or anything. There was a lot to address. I still feel frustrated with a lot of things, even though I am pretty confident of the choices I have made. I know I still have massive public image problems, which makes me crazy, and a lot of things feel incredibly unfair to me.
Just start working on your problems. The only remedy for regret is to fix things that went wrong. When that is not directly possible, still try to fix things. (I know a woman whose child died. She is still researching his cause of death in order to benefit other people, even though it won't bring her child back.)
"Nothing takes the past away like the future." -- Madonna