I‘ve always been a rather serious person. I knew what I wanted from a young age, and worked tirelessly to achieve it. That is why I believed that when I finally achieve my goal, I will be happy. I thought that by reaching my goals, I will feel fulfillment and satisfaction. However, I had come to found out that it just doesn’t work like that.

After a few years of hard work, I managed to achieve what I had always dreamt of. I have a flourishing career in my field of choice, and I am quite confident about my position. I am very grateful for where I am because I know how rare what I have is.

However, great success is not without its price. While the success and amazing and has brought me so much, it did come with an unbearable feeling of loneliness. Even when hanging out with friends, I find myself having trouble coming up with a common interest or a topic for conversation.

I get it – I disappeared for several years. I left my friends behind to focus on my career. I was busy, distracted, and made steps to get ahead in my career. And suddenly now, when I have already established myself, I find myself with all this free time in my hand and nothing to do with it.

Everyone I knew and was friends with is so busy. They all have their issues, new hobbies, or new friends. Yes, I have colleagues and a couple of high school friends that see me maybe twice a year, but I miss having true friends. I know there is no one to blame but me, and I wish I could have done something to fix what I have done.

On the outside, my life appears to be so bright. Like I have everything all figured out. But, without the people I love, it couldn’t be any further from the truth.