I put so much pressure on myself and I know exactly why (tl,dr: last paragraph) I was unpopular in school because I was smart. I got called a boffin a lot. Then I got less smart but I still got good grades and worked really hard in college and uni. I struggled a lot with mental health for most of it. But I did graduate. I had a career change and got some years of experience working for a small business. But they couldn't afford to have me full time, so I couldn't afford to move out of my parents' house. I tried looking for another job, but no one wanted me because I didn't have enough experience. Because I couldn't get the experience because no one would give me it, I decided to get a qualification in my field. I worked really hard for it and graduated. It's still not enough and no one is hiring me. I'm pushing 30 still living at home. The mean kids from school are probably laughing at the boffin who is now earning less than what you can get on UC while they're all rich.