thinking you would be successful when younger?

Post Reply New Topic

When you were younger, did you ever think you were going to be successful when you got older but now, as a grownup, you realize that the opposite has actually happened? This was the case for me. When I was younger I had many strong interests/obsessions where the skills and stuff I've learned from them at an early age made me think I was going to be rich and successful when I grew up. But now being 30, I'm still struggling to find a job just to keep me by without welfare or living with my parents. It's almost like I was ahead as a kid in regards to certain skills but now I'm lacking in most things that would land me a decent job. Has this been the case for you too?

I'm not sure what I expected. I just figured I'd finish school and go to work. The whole "game" you have to play just to get a job didn't compute to me.

I never had a burning desire to have a life of luxury(Not that I would have refused it if it happened). I just wanted to have enough money for my own place, food a decent TV and computer and to be happy in my career. Everything but my own placed happened for awhile and then it ended.

When I was 20, I wanted so badly to be a nurse and have a family and leave the whole AS thing behind. So not the plan anymore.

As a child I was sure I am definitely going to be famous (everyone seemed to know me but I could rarely recognize anyone due to my prosopagnosia but I was thinking there is something special about me that makes people remember me, not that I got problem remembering people xD).

I also was sure I am going to be a writer, traveler or astronaut.

And it ended up I am unemployed, the only thing I write is a fan fiction and 2 blogs, I travel rarely and I would never be astronaut due to my sensitivity and physical weakness.

Absolutely. I was obsessed with animals and planned to be a vet. Now I'm 27 and do not have a (paid) job. I don't think my AS is to blame for my lack of success though -- it's probably down to the debilitating depression and anxiety I have had for over 13 years. Still, my illness exacerbates the AS so it is definitely contributing to my continuing lack of success. For example, because I'm depressed I do not get out much and so my confidence around people has decreased, causing my social skills to get even worse. Depression has ruined my life.

I was always told how smart I was when I was a kid; schoolwork was never a problem for me. Ninety-nines on all subjects on standardized tests and all that. I, and everyone else apparently, always assumed I would go to college and have a successful career in a well-paid field. Well, I did go to college, but I couldn't handle the 300+ student classes and all the social requirements expected of me, and flunked out. Now, after a series of failed jobs, friendships, and romantic relationships, I sit here, back in my parents house. I'm 29, single, and unemployed. I just found out I have Asperger's this year, I think I need a handbook or something haha. Trying to do the NT thing did not work out well for me...

I didn't really think about being successful or rich, just thought that as I grew up, I'd do the "normal" things like get a car, my own home, get married......etc. Meanwhile, the opposite has happened.....let's just say that out of the three kids in my family, I'm the least successful and the only one who would be put in a bad situation if our mom were to die anytime soon.

I don't think I thought I'd be successful at all. I did have dreams about becoming a musician in the past, but I'm not good enough and practice too little.

So yeah, I didn't really expect being all that successful. Just getting a decent job and making a living. And now it seems I might land a really good job. But yeah, I still have a few interviews to go through.

I just wanted kids who knew they were loved. I mean, I would occassionally fantasize about careers,but I never felt I was capable of anything other than a basic, minimum wage job, and that never bothered me. I am actually much more a "go-getter" and more goal oriented than I was when I was younger.