11 Signs You’re Doing Way Better At Life Than You Give Yourself Credit For

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by student loans, rent payments, and work pressure. Sometimes logging into Facebook and seeing that people you graduated with are already buying homes and having babies can make you feel like you’re losing an invisible race. Just because you aren’t following some sort of predetermined path of life doesn’t mean you’re struggling, though. In fact, here’s how you know you’re doing just fine:

1. You have a small but solid group of friends. It’s so important to surround yourself with a small and sturdy support system that you can really rely on. You may not be getting bombarded with texts night and day from 10 different fair weather friends like you used to, but you know the people you still talk to would bend over backward for you if you needed them to.
2. The thought of settling down with someone doesn’t scare you. When you’re young, the thought of settling down is a little too much to process. What if you want to take off and backpack through Europe or go to grad school across the country? You’re at a point in your life now that you view your guy as a partner in life rather than an anchor holding you in place.
3. Being alone doesn’t scare you either. If the right guy was in your life, you’d be fine with settling down but at the moment, you’re single and feeling great about it. You realize there’s so much more to life than settling for anything less than you deserve. You recognize that it’s natural to feel lonely or jealous once in a while, but at the end of the day, you know you’re all you need to feel complete.
4. You’ve considered an annoying side gig. You’ve undoubtedly been accosted by an old high school acquaintance on Facebook, asking if you’d be interested in purchasing some sort of life-changing cosmetic, diet plan, or skin care item. It’s irritating, but the idea of making some extra money on the side isn’t so bad. You’re usually pretty tired after your day job, but you’re mature enough to realize that sometimes putting in a few extra hours is necessary and worth it.
5. You don’t feel the need to add filters to your life. You can take this as literally or figuratively as you’d like. You’re doing alright in life if you can look at the crazy aspects of your day-to-day and laugh at yourself. You’re more inclined to snap a photo of your gravity defying bed-head than a perfect #flatlay of your color-coordinated purchases from Target. Life is messy sometimes and you no longer need to sugarcoat everything to be happy.
6. You use social media less and less. “If a girl goes out to a bar and doesn’t Snap her whole night, did she even go?” It’s typically pretty telling if you’re having a genuinely good time at an event — you leave your phone in your purse. You’re much more concerned with having meaningful conversations than documenting all the aesthetically pleasing high points of your night. You know how to have a good time without feeling the need to share it with the world.
7. You get wicked hangovers. How is a nasty hangover a good indication that you’re doing well in life? Your body is reacting that way because you’re not used to partying four nights a week like you did in college. Obviously, you can’t help but treat yourself to a wine night with the girls once in a while, but you can’t handle the jungle juice like you used to and that’s okay!
8. You’re closer with your parents than ever. The days of sneaking up to your room, trying not to disturb your parents after a crazy night of drinking with your friends are a distant memory. Now, you like popping over to their place just to say hello or cook them a good meal. Your parents want the best for you and they’ve always tried to steer you in the right direction. Opening yourself up to people like that is a sign that you want the best for yourself as well!
9. You think you deserve more from your place of employment. You’ve put in the hours and your good ideas are starting to catch the attention of your superiors. You’re not the new kid anymore — you’re well on your way to becoming indispensable. Don’t knock yourself down a few pegs because you’re young. Harness the confidence that comes with gaining experience and ask for that raise!
10. You recognize the importance of self-care. There’s nothing quite like unplugging from reality and binge-watching your favorite show or giving yourself a full-blown spa day. You recognize that there’s nothing selfish about self-love. There are people only a few years older than you that have completely burnt themselves out because they don’t take a minute for themselves. You know that taking a little bit of time for yourself will help you in the long run when faced with future difficulties.
11. You’re okay with the fact that some people really are doing better than you. The woman you saw on Facebook that’s having her first child may have just realized her company’s maternity leave policy is seriously lacking. The chick that just bought her first townhouse may have just realized her new home has a leak in the roof that’s going to deplete her savings. Social media gives us a shallow glimpse into a deep, complicated pool that is other people’s lives. On the surface, things may seem calm and beautiful, but go a little deeper and you’ll realize we all have struggles. You’re doing pretty well if you can look at the great things other people are doing in their lives and use that to fuel your desire to improve your own life.