[jebarker]

From experience, I can say that If you were conditioned from a young age to believe that achievement and status were important in life it’s an incredibly hard instinct to let go of. You’re totally right that it’s damaging for those around you and can lead to bitterness as you age. It’s something I have to grapple with everyday and it’s exhausting.

[parpfish]

I think this is a curse that gets inflicted on far too many “gifted” children. While young they get lots of praise for their accomplishments and outcomes and it can drown out any intrinsic motivation to do things that make them happy.

[jebarker]

Exactly, and well put. I have a hard time identifying those things that really make me happy without any external influence and an even harder time comfortably sitting with the idea that objective of my life should be personal happiness.