Ever Feel Like Everyone Else Has It All Figured Out?
You’re scrolling through Reddit, or watching YouTube, or just chatting with friends, and suddenly it hits you: Am I the only one who doesn’t have a $200K investment portfolio?
It’s a quiet kind of panic. You’ve been working, saving, trying to be smart with money. Then you log on and see people half your age day trading like pros, throwing down $20K on options like it’s lunch money.
It’s not just confusing. It’s exhausting.
And if you’re 37, feeling overwhelmed, underachieved, and honestly kind of lost? You’re in good company.
Learning About Money Can Be… a Lot
The Reddit post that inspired this article could’ve been written by half the people I know. The poster is 37, recently separated, a parent of two, and just started digging into investing.
At first, it all seemed manageable:
- Stocks? Got it.
- Fundamentals? Understandable.
- Saving consistently? Check.
But then came the rabbit hole: options trading, technical charts, candlesticks, calls, puts, endless acronyms—and suddenly, it felt like everyone else was speaking another language.
They asked:
“Did all of you continuously say, huh? What the hell is going on here?”
Yep. We all did.
Even the people making money now were once confused by squiggly charts and Reddit lingo. Everyone starts somewhere. But the pressure to understand everything right away? That’s what really messes with you.
It’s Not Just Confusion—It’s Comparison
Here’s where the real spiral begins: once you start learning, you start comparing.
You see:
- People in their 20s with six-figure portfolios
- Redditors betting $20K a week on options
- Screenshots of someone losing $250K in a single trade (and somehow being fine with it)
Meanwhile, you’re wondering if your $5,000 brokerage account even matters.
This is what the original poster called Problem 2:
Have I been doing money wrong all this time?
Short answer: No. You’ve been living real life—supporting kids, handling a breakup, working, saving. That’s not failure—that’s reality.
A lot of people flashing big numbers online don’t have the same responsibilities. Or they got lucky. Or they’re taking massive risks that would keep most of us up at night.
And let’s be honest—some of them are just straight-up lying.
You’re Building, Not Behind
It’s easy to think you’re late to the party. But here’s what actually matters when it comes to building wealth:
– Consistency > intensity. Slow, regular investing beats wild bets most of the time.
– Understanding > guessing. Knowing what you’re doing—even if it’s basic—is better than throwing cash at a trend.
– Real life > internet life. Your journey has different variables than someone with no kids and no responsibilities.
You don’t need $200K today. You need habits that will get you where you want to go.
A Story You Might Recognize
Let’s say there’s a woman named Lisa. She’s 37. Works a decent job, has two kids, split with her partner a year ago.
After the dust settled, she wanted to take control of her money. So she started reading about investing:
- Index funds made sense.
- Stock sectors? Okay.
- P/E ratios? Sure.
Then she found day-trading Reddit. Suddenly it felt like everyone else was richer, younger, and smarter. She even wondered if saving all these years was a mistake.
But Lisa kept going. She stayed in her lane. Bought what she understood. Didn’t bet the rent money on some “YOLO” option. And slowly, her confidence grew.
She’s not rich. But she’s not confused anymore, either.
If You’re Feeling Lost, Remember This
You’re not the only one figuring this out later than you’d hoped.
You’re not the only one without $20K to “play with.”
You’re not the only one who feels like they’re always catching up.
So if you’re sitting there thinking, “Am I the only one who’s overwhelmed and underachieved financially?”
Here’s the answer: Nope. You’re not.
In fact, a lot of people feel that way. They just don’t post about it.
Where Do You Go From Here?
If you’ve made it this far, you already care about your future. That’s a win. The next steps don’t have to be flashy or risky.
Try this:
- Pick one thing to learn at a time
- Ignore the noise about fast money
- Focus on what you can afford and understand
- Don’t compare your timeline to someone else’s highlight reel
- Celebrate how far you’ve come—not just how far you have to go
What If You’re Doing Better Than You Think?
What if you’re not behind—just on a different path?
It’s easy to feel like everyone else is ahead. But what if most of them are just louder? Or riskier? Or luckier this week?
What if the real success is simply showing up, learning something new, and staying in the game?
So, here’s the question:
What would change if you stopped comparing and just invested in your pace, your plan, and your future?