It seems to be a human trait to want to compare ourselves to others, but I don't think it is productive, especially in today’s work environment where we have to reinvent ourselves frequently. The linear job tracks that many of our parents seemed to follow is a thing of the past for the most part.

Also, just because someone is in a higher job position doesn’t mean they like it or that you’d like the job if you had it. I have a good friend that has advanced to quite a high level in her career. On paper it looks great and she is making good money, but she has confided to me that she has no work-life balance and it is burning her out. She’s working 80 hours a week and is on medication for anxiety and to sleep. It has also put a lot of stress on her relationship with her husband. Things are not always what they appear to be.

I’m in my 40s and have cycled through many different roles, management, non-management editorial, intern, freelance, consulting. Currently, after being let go from a job that had gotten toxic, I am working into getting into freelancing again. I don’t feel like the typical full-time, corporate job is what I want right now.