be kind to yourself. remember that your journey is your own. don’t punish yourself for not having accomplished as much as x person at age 16, 17, 25, 40– their journey is not yours. your journey is not theirs. just because they are “doing more” than you are at this moment in time, or at that moment in time, does not mean you have wasted your time. you have had different experiences, circumstances, and opportunities. it is not a matter of fault on your part. you will get there, day by day, no matter how long it takes.