Is it normal to feel like i've failed at life (at 19)?

I'm a nineteen year old female who's currently at community college... all of my friends have gone to their four year college instead after graduating high school. The fall semester is over, and I still have never had a job, or done any sort of volunteer work that might help me get a job, I don't have a driver's license, and I still have no idea what I want to do with life.

All I do all day is fool around on my computer, and play games whenever my brother isn't on them, and I have little interest in anything else. I haven't made any new friends at cc since I'm not exactly the most sociable person in the world, and since my friends are all away, I can't hang out with them.

I'm lazy, and I have no confidence in myself to the point where I'm like, "Why bother, I'm going to fail at this anyway", and I'm like that with almost everything- specifically when it comes to my driving. The main reason why I haven't tried to get my license yet is because I'm terrible and parallel parking and doing the reverse two point turn. I rarely practice them, and whenever I do, I quit early because I'm fed up that I can't do them properly.

Because I don't know what to do with my life (As some of my other interests, like writing, and watching films, won't get me any money), I don't have as much as a drive to get through school like other people do. I don't even really care so much as to which college I go to as long as it's in state, and close to home.

Even though I'm nineteen, I already feel like I'm a complete failure, but I'm so lazy, and I have such a lack of confidence that I don't do anything about it. I feel like a waste of space, like there's no point to me being here. is it normal that I feel like a failure this early in life?

Voting Results
78% Normal
Based on 231 votes (180 yes)
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Comments ( 25 )
  • Juniper

    You just totally described my problem...

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    • Hmmm a fellow Juniper! That's one of my names :)

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      • Juniper

        :)

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  • I commented on this before but I erased it. I didn't give the story a fair shake and I think you deserve a better answer.

    Your friends are away at college and that doesn't make them better than you.

    The first problem you're having is feeling alone for not going to a university. Although, it wasn't the wrong decision, you feel as if it is because your friends followed the "status quo" and you didn't

    I had this same problem. I chose to stay and take on CC debt. It was more tolerable. Then, recession hit. I thanked god I made the choice I did.

    As time progressed, my friends came home with college degrees in things that didn't even interest them AND a load of debt.

    Second, you seem to have everything that's wrong with you figured out. You obviously know where the problems are, all you have to do is motivate yourself to fix them.

    When you begin realizing you want to give up, push yourself! Set goals you want to achieve, like getting your license. I think that would be a huge accomplishment for you and help you get more self confidence.

    Third, If you want friends, college is a good time to just talk to people. Anyone! There aren't many tightly knit "clicks" in college. Normally, everyone is just kinda going through the motions and keeping to themselves. No need to feel intimidated. These people probably want new friends as well.

    A lot of people don't have jobs right now. Keep that in mind. It's a hard for everyone, not just you. You're not alone. It seems like the whole college thing is whats really bothering you. Don't let that effect the rest of your life. Take your time when figuring out what you want to do. Most importantly take it easy on yourself. Don't let anyone rush you or tell you you're living your life wrong.

    sorry for the other post. It was idiotic. I hope this helps.

    -francios

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  • taciturn

    Are you passionate about writing? I don't know why you're dismissing that so readily - writing is a skill that can be applied to many different career paths. And either way, don't let money stop you from doing something you're good at or something you love.

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  • hertruthtold

    Aww, air hug! I'm 24 and I know some of those feelings. To build confidence try doing things that you know that you are good at. Exploring those interest with others all opens up the experience. Alway recognizing your weaknesses in a total strength. Keep your head up :)

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  • disthing

    You don't know what you want to do, so find out. Better that than nothing, or continuing to wallow in self pity. If you like writing or films try that - even if they don't result in a career it's a learning curve, an opportunity to meet people, to gain confidence that you lack. Sometimes the best lessons are extra-curricular. Think of it as self-improvement, that is something to strive for, and each step where you think to yourself "I wouldn't have had the guts to do that a year ago" is a little success, a little reason to be proud.

    I know exactly how you feel, but it's all a matter of perspective. You're only a failure if you allow yourself to continue to be unsatisfied and unfulfilled. Use your frustration as drive to achieve something. We're still so fucking young, there's so much to do and see!

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  • marginal_nomad

    Even though I haven't met you, I just wanted to say that you did not fail life. Far from it in fact. You are young, beautiful, and eager, many good things will come your way, just have an open mind and don't be too critical about things.

    Smile

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  • ThePunisherHasArrived

    I’m the punsiher and this post relates to me on a personal level.

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  • Mersaphe

    You haven't failed at anything. Your whole life is in front of you. You just have to be bold and reach out and grab it.

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  • Alysin

    No story I've ever read I this site has related to me as much as this one. This is exactly how I feel except that I'm still I high school and turn 19 in exactly a month. Normal.

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  • Sabby

    You can make quite a bit of money as a writer/author you know...

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    • Yeah- if you're JK Rowling, Stephen King, or Stephanie Meyer. And writing books can take a long time- you can't make your sole career to be a novelist if you only release one book every few years. Unless you're any of the three authors I mentioned above. It's rare to have excessively popular books that are so popular you don't need a full time job.

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  • nikkilynn25

    Drink a redbull, it gives you wings.

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  • tails_prower7

    described my life perfectly im 19 a female and ive only had one job and i dont have a liscense yet either so dont feel bad ur def not alone u have to focus on ur confidence first

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    • I think my confidence will go up once I have a decent job :(

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  • purplegirl22

    Couldn't have described my situation more perfectly myself. Don't worry your definitely not alone :)

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  • Dizzee

    I'm the exact same way, the only difference being the license (I got mine just before community college after failing two times). I honestly don't know what to say other then you're not alone.

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  • Violet_Heart

    I feel the exact same way, I only have a job because my friend helped me out and I don't want that same job for the rest of my life.. I'm going to school for zoology which I'm passionate about but I am so bad at math and you need calculus for zoology. =[ I voted "It's Normal" to your question but that is because I can relate to your situation, in all honesty though, I don't think it's normal at all.. I think I have self-destructive behavior.

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  • Wow this is so weird. I'm the same way. I don;t understand why I can't find the motivation to try and take risks and do something with my life. It kinda sucks..I feel lame but that still doesn't change my attitude towards things..

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  • MR.Anon

    i certainly feel you on this... pretty much everything you've stated i been going through.. except I'm an 18 year old male

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  • Proud_of_my_ancestry

    Oh jeez.. that's exactly me right now!! (also 19) Except for the fact that I haven't yet started my community college. (going to start 2nd semester) I have no clue what to do either. Last year, life was so much more fun for me.. (finally met a good friend for me) Now, either my buddies moved away/back to their countries or don't want to talk with me. I don't have the best confidence.. and even though I have my driver's license, I don't drive very often. (I still need to be driven everywhere)

    It's completely normal to feel this way. These thoughts keep on bringing me down.. "Why am I even alive??" xD

    I really hope that my life will go a little forward once I start community college.. You should try to make some friends (I know it sucks- also socially.. bad.) But once you find some buddies (they don't have to be very similar to you) to just 'get out'. 'forget about your worries. your confidence will get a little better...

    I know it's all easier said than done.. But I need to get through it as well. xD

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  • ygrowup

    You already know what you need to work on! And that is more than half the battle of moving on from where you are at! Just single out one of those things to accomplish and take baby steps each day towards mastering it! Soon you will be in a whole new life! Start with driving maybe! Good luck with your choices!

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  • Dozis

    Yeah,that's when it dawns on you. I was your same age when it dawned on me. A bunch of years ago. Now i can at least pretend like it has not been me failing society it has been society failing me. Doesn't change much but it makes me feel better. IT IS ALL YOU SHEEPS FAULT! Just kidding. Or not!(showing middle finger)

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  • ToddStellar

    You can not be a failure at life when your life has hardly begun.
    I am 24 and am just starting to see an open space i can handle.
    ...You are 19 years old and already expecting too much of yourself...just take it slow, trust me, you have time.

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