I’m not exceptionally good at anything. I inevitably know someone who’s better at anything I enjoy doing than I am. In some things I love, like language learning, I’m exceptionally bad. Most things I’m just average. But I’m good enough at the things I need/want to do I guess; I have enough money and happiness to live on, so I don’t really mind. And it means I have lots of chances to learn and get ideas from friends who are better at [whatever] than me!

Honestly? Focus on your own life. Baby steps. Look at yourself and see what you can improve. I think you’d be surprised at how much time that people who are “good” at stuff are spending on it.

A friend with an immaculate house? She’s cleaning all the time. Friends with great style and great skin? They’re working on it daily. Friends with skills? They work at it. Even at work, some people are hustling. You can’t be lazy in all aspects of your life. Figure out what you want and then spend time on it.

Anonymous wrote:If you are not great at your job, if you can't cook, whatever it may be - such that you are not really "good" at anything, are you angry with people who are? Does it consume you?

I think this is most people; just fine at their jobs, not amazing cooks or off the charts smart. Most of my friends fall into this category and I love them dearly, they are wonderful and interesting people even if they aren’t great piano players or at the top of their field at work.

Anonymous wrote:As someone born in another country, I think this idea that everyone has to be exceptional in at least something is very American. Most of us are average OP. I excelled in school/burned out at work, and at one point felt like you. But things happened to change my perspective. I am a good mom/wife, and worker. And I have hobbies but don't excel at any of them. And it's fine. Life is more than a list of accomplishments.

This. I feel like maybe we’re equating “good” and “great”. Everyone’s good at some things, but many of us aren’t great at anything. I’m good at quite a few things but great at nothing. I’m completely unexceptional. Advice in relationships? Ask someone else. Help around the house? Find someone more qualified. Excel at work? There’s always someone evidently superior. I’m old enough to have come to terms with it. Even Salieri managed to see this.

Anonymous wrote:No, I just accept it. It's who I am. I don't even feel compelled to change myself .
I'm about as boring and bland as it comes. I'm not good at anything - cooking, dancing, singing, I have no party tricks, I'm not quick with a witty reply, I don't like ethnic foods, I'm a homebody, the list goes on.

You're talking about the creative arts. Not everyone is creative. There are lots of other aspects to life.

I'm good at some things so I don't resent people who are also good at some things, even if they are things I'm bad at.

But I do sometimes feel resentment of people who act superior about things they were privileged to get good at. Like people who grow up wealthy and then look down their noses at people who aren't as worldly or well-traveled. Or people whose parents invested heavily in them getting good at a sport or other activity but who don't seem to understand not everyone has that kind of backing to gain those skills

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone born in another country, I think this idea that everyone has to be exceptional in at least something is very American. Most of us are average OP. I excelled in school/burned out at work, and at one point felt like you. But things happened to change my perspective. I am a good mom/wife, and worker. And I have hobbies but don't excel at any of them. And it's fine. Life is more than a list of accomplishments.

You have great perspective and grounding! How to you obtain/maintain that healthy attitude?

*do

Anonymous wrote:As someone born in another country, I think this idea that everyone has to be exceptional in at least something is very American. Most of us are average OP. I excelled in school/burned out at work, and at one point felt like you. But things happened to change my perspective. I am a good mom/wife, and worker. And I have hobbies but don't excel at any of them. And it's fine. Life is more than a list of accomplishments.

You have great perspective and grounding! How to you obtain/maintain that healthy attitude?

As someone born in another country, I think this idea that everyone has to be exceptional in at least something is very American. Most of us are average OP. I excelled in school/burned out at work, and at one point felt like you. But things happened to change my perspective. I am a good mom/wife, and worker. And I have hobbies but don't excel at any of them. And it's fine. Life is more than a list of accomplishments.

Everyone is good at something!

But I'm always astonished (IDK why, the world is huge) when some star emerges. Like Taylor swift can sing AND write songs AND she's beautiful.

Or Hedy Lamarr was a brainiac and gorgeous.

Some people get all the goodies!

Anonymous wrote:I was never good at anything. Seriously. Nothing. But I have a good sense of humor. I guess that’s something.

I became a lawyer and made a shit ton of money.

You were good at school.