Everyone here does seem more… mentally together. Conscientious, maybe? It seems like they’re probably working way more hours than I am. I don’t understand how they do it, and I can’t tell if I or they are the weird ones. People here are directors of strategy or vice presidents or head tech coordinators or editors at magazines. I don’t think I could do any of that even if I had all of it handed to me.
I am solidly middle-class, have been for my whole life, and this is totally how I feel every time I talk with my animation school roomie. I burnt out on that industry and do weird freelance in obscurity, he stuck it out and was a director on the recent Animaniacs reboot. Talking to my other friends who have had success (multi-Hugh-winning writer, comics artist who's had years where collections of her strip sold more than the entirety of DC or Marvel) kinda feels this way too.