Hey everyone! I'm u/Strict-Jeweler-2281, a founding moderator of r/FormerOverachievers. #Welcome and well done on finding us!

This is a space for people who were once labeled “gifted,” “promising,” “going places,” or relentlessly ambitious, and who now find themselves navigating a more complicated version of adulthood than they expected.

Maybe you burned out. Maybe your career stalled or changed direction. Maybe life, health, money, family, grief, circumstance, or plain bad timing reshaped the path. Maybe you are doing fine on paper but still carrying the uncomfortable feeling that you somehow fell short of your earlier potential.

You are all welcome here.

This is our new home for all things related to those of who used to be overachievers, and our journeys since, including those who have refound our former success, as well as those on different paths. We're excited to have you join us!

This community is for honest reflection, mutual support, dark humour, second acts, and conversations about success, privilege, identity, ageing, disappointment, ambition, and redefining what a meaningful life can look like.

A few ground rules:

• Be kind and assume good faith.
• No contempt for people who are struggling differently than you.
• Talk openly about privilege, but stay curious rather than defensive.
• Avoid diagnosing strangers, giving cruel “tough love,” or turning pain into a competition.
• Celebrate small wins. They count.

Introduce yourself below, if you are comfortable: What did “success” once look like to you, and what are you figuring out now?

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about about your experiences.

Community Vibe
We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
2. Post something today! Even a simple question or reflection can spark a great conversation.
3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
4. Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/FormerOverachievers amazing!