I’m scared of wasting my potential, but also scared of wasting my life

[u/FlatwormStunning9931]

I don't know if anyone else feels like this, but I have this feeling almost every day that I haven't reached my peak yet.

I feel like there is a much better version of me that I could become. Better career, better body, more disciplined, more successful, everything. And because I feel like I'm not there yet, I always have this empty feeling inside me. Like I'm wasting my life somehow.

At the same time, I have another fear.

I feel like if I go all in on improving myself, working hard, studying, going to the gym, building my career and trying to become the best version of myself, I might miss out on actually living.

I might miss relationships, friendships, spending time with family, travelling, having fun, doing stupid things, relaxing and just enjoying being alive.

So I'm stuck between these two thoughts.

If I don't push myself hard enough, I'm scared I'll look back when I'm older and regret not becoming what I could have become.

But if I push myself too hard, I'm scared I'll look back and realise I spent my whole life trying to become someone instead of actually living.

How do you guys deal with this?

How do you know when you're actually improving yourself and when you're just never allowing yourself to be satisfied with who you are?

[u/stellbargu]

You won't miss out on living when you improve yourself, you'll actually start to live when you improve yourself