I don't know why this is happening to me so often, because I'm only 23. I think since the pandemic was in full swing when I was 19-21, it really stunted some of my formative development years where I was supposed to be reckless and become more self-assured. I've finally worked up the courage to go to new events by myself more often, and I see so many 18-20-year-olds at these things who are way more fully actualized than I was at that age. I do feel bad that they had to deal with the pandemic in high school, but now they get to enter into a normal college-age experience. I should just be happy for them, but it makes me feel a huge wave of regret and bitterness, even with such a small age difference. They seem fearless in their exploration and self-expression. I feel like I am in a good place with myself right now, but I have more responsibilities now that I've graduated, and it makes me feel like I wasted what were supposed to be my most "free" years. Am I alone in feeling this and does anyone know how to curb these feelings?