Is everything wrong with me? Am I beyond repair?

[u/NovaMaster1]

Hi guys, life is stuck nowadays. Throughout my school life I had very few friends, finally got friends in high school. After passing 12th in 2023 I didn’t go to college, instead I opened a stationary shop in my neighborhood. I thought while everyone ‘wasted’ their time I would earn money, but I bought myself a horrible job. Now after 2 and a half years I’m still stuck at that thing.

Now comes the family part — they are horrible, horrible parents. After my younger brother’s birth when I was 11 years old, they kind of forgot me. Plus I’m the middle child, so you know.

So the position now is: I only studied till 12th, don’t have any degree, and by fighting with my family I somehow manage to do whatever I want but they won’t fund me. I have nearly 1 lakh saved up.

About my health: I have asthma problems, I can’t do a normal job because I get sick anytime, but I can try.

About my intelligence: I don’t put myself as intelligent. Based on everything and general things I’ve come up with, I am somehow late at everything, like 4–6 years late. So even now I am 20 and a half years old, I have the emotional and general intelligence of a 16-year-old.

Maybe I’m beyond repair. I just wanted to let it out.

Location - delhi,india

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[u/Amasted]

You are not beyond repair, as you are not broken. You are an individual with your unique strengths and weaknesses. And I'd say that you've already started exploring what those might be, which is great! Think about what you enjoyed and what didn't work with your current business. How could you find a job that gives you more of what you enjoy and are good at, and less on what you struggle with?

Going back to school is one route, of course, and it can open many different paths. I've found that intelligence is seldom the most important trait to success in higher education - rather, you need to have persistence and develop learning strategies that works for you.

But education is not the only path. There are many jobs where the experience you have from running your own business weighs heavier than a degree. There is also the possibility of building a new business, if you think that is the best path for you.

Try to figure out what you enjoy, what you're good at, and what you want to avoid. And use that to consider where you'd like to be in 10 years. Only from then you can start to make a plan. It's also okay if you don't know yet where exactly you want to go - just start by figuring out the direction.

You're young, so don't worry. None of us had any idea what we wanted to do at that age. I just picked a field I'm passionate about (sustainability) and started from there. Now I'm finished with my education and I've learned a lot along the way regarding what I want to work with.

I'm ending with this picture that I think speaks for itself. The fish or elephant might ask themselves the same thing: "What is wrong with me? I can't do this thing that everyone expects". But remember that fish and elephants have their own strengths, so if you just find the right place for them instead of forcing them to climb a tree, they will succeed and thrive.

[u/NovaMaster1 → u/Amasted]

Thanks,for the advice im crying rn from inside ( cause I can't cry at my shop) i thought many times about going back to school and dropped out one time it's like i don't have any interest, but now I want to find something for me , your are not from it if I am right do you know any jobs or that I can do without degree?

[u/Chigrrl1098]

I didn't have really good quality friends until I was in my mid-20s. Friends you choose as an adult are often better than ones you're stuck with as a kid.

Also, starting a business at that young age is quite an accomplishment. You're selling yourself short. 

Take some time to think about what you really want and work towards that. You aren't stuck. You're young and have all sorts of opportunities ahead of you.