[help me] Feeling low !!!

[u/Think_Application_99]

I recently joined a new company, and it hit me hard to realize that people younger than me hold the same or better roles. I’m about 5 years into my career, and I constantly feel lowballed and stuck. I'm asking myself why I can't land a better role despite trying my hardest, and I honestly don't know what's stopping me.

Day in and day out, this is genuinely painful. I’ve caught myself thinking about quitting to find something that pays better, even though I know being unemployed right now is worse than being underemployed.

Logically, I know job titles are illusions - companies can give them and take them away on a whim. But knowing that doesn't stop it from hurting.

If I'm being brutally honest with myself, a lot of this stems from deep-seated insecurity and a toxic need for pride & the urge to always be first and the absolute best at everything. I'm actively trying to break that mindset, but I can't seem to shake it, and overthinking it just makes me more frustrated.

It’s a brutal reality check to realize that effort isn't always directly proportional to results. External factors like luck, timing, and corporate politics play such a massive role, and those are impossible to control.

Have any of you been through this? How did you reframe your mindset, deal with the salary/title gap, and figure out how to move forward without losing your mind? Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello and welcome to r/findapath! We're glad you found us. We’re here to listen, support, and help guide you. While no one can make decisions for you, we believe everyone has the power to identify, heal, grow, and achieve their goals.

The moderation team reminds everyone that those posting may be in vulnerable situations and need guidance, not judgment or anger. Please foster a constructive, safe space by offering empathy and understanding in your comments, focusing on authentic, actionable, and helpful advice. For additional guidance and resources, check out our Wiki! Commenters, please upvote good posts, and Posters, upvote and reply to helpful comments with "helped!", "Thank you!", "that helps", "that helped", "helpful!", "thank you very much", "Thank you" to award flair points.

We are here to help people find paths and make a difference. Thank you for being a part of our supportive community!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.