Although many people consider “envy” and “jealousy” synonymous, they actually have distinct meanings. Envy is “the painful feeling of wanting what someone else has, like attributes or possessions.” If you’re jealous, you feel “threatened, protective, or fearful of losing one’s position or situation to someone else.”

The truth is that I’ve been quite envious in the past. I do want it all. Usually this has come in the form of reluctancy to connect with ambitious youth in the tech sphere because I lack comparable skill, networks, or accolades.

It makes sense if they are older. They had more time afterall. But if they are the same age as me, then how come I couldn’t do it yet. Or worse: if they are younger.

I think most people end up having to come to terms with not being the wunderkid anymore at some point. For me, it was when I hit 20. All my past journals dictated that I should have hit all my dreams by 20, and if I didn’t, I would have to force myself down the winding path of the normie.

Yes, I’m envious—but I know that it’s bad. I’ll stop now.

Why it doesn’t make sense to be envious

Simply put, you don’t have enough time for everything. It’s irrational to want all the top skills of all the top people.

Also, every young ambitious person is in their own world taking their own risks right now. It’s quite probable that lots will connect and work together in the future. Or at worst, be friends. Why be envious when you can be proud?

The age that you do things is also quite irrelevant. Yes, time is important, but if the goal is to make things last longer than yourself, then your age isn’t what will be remembered, it is your work. Bezos started Amazon at 30.

Also, accolades are irrelevant in The Fullness of Time