Double standard in “look at others”

Recently I got a question why I work in a warehouse, when I have such good skills- 3 foreign languages at high levels, photoshop, AutoCAD, ms office, good education etc. then I heard good advice about how I should manage my career and I was told look at this person, look at that person, how they manage it, how they run their own business. “Do something about yourself!” Yeah, I love it. 
But when I answer that not everyone with good language skills or high creativity is doing a good career, there are many people who have unique or special skills but do basic jobs, I was told “don’t look at others”. So how is it… look at others or not? In my case I just chose this job because it does not damage me mentally. It’s often I could say therapeutic for me. I just do my job, I habe a good attention to detail, good memory etc. and I’m hard working and honest person. It’s being valued. But I guess many people just can’t get it. Anyway this kind of double standard really irritates me. Does anyone have similar experience?

Parents
  • I spent fifteen years listening to this type of advice, looking at others and constantly trying to 'better' myself (I've since realised 'better' is subjective word) with stressful high pressure jobs that burned me out. It made me miserable. Now I've accepted the person I am inside, which is someone who just wants a simple life. I no longer care what others are doing. Do what makes you happy and ignore the expectations. It's really liberating.

Reply
  • I spent fifteen years listening to this type of advice, looking at others and constantly trying to 'better' myself (I've since realised 'better' is subjective word) with stressful high pressure jobs that burned me out. It made me miserable. Now I've accepted the person I am inside, which is someone who just wants a simple life. I no longer care what others are doing. Do what makes you happy and ignore the expectations. It's really liberating.

Children
  • I'm 50 and pretty much at the point where I know I have to do this, I need to stop trying to be like others and be myself outwardly and not get into situations that are harmful to me 

    It's so hard to make the step and risk the outcome though!

  • Thank you! I also listen that for long time, I think this is a kind of mentality that people try to force everyone to fit the standard and also our differences that make us the “square pegs” play a role here. I also promised myself to not force myself anymore into highly stressful job just for few hundred € more only to suffer more.I’m tired and probably burnt out anyway.