20M feeling like my life is boring, lots of FOMO, struggling

Need Advice

Im a 20M in uni and lately I’ve been struggling a lot with extreme boredom, slight bits of jealousy, and this feeling that other people are living way more interesting lives than me. I practice gratitude every day and I know I’m super privileged, but this has still been bothering me A LOT. I’m a uni student, I’m very outgoing, and I love going out, partying, traveling, doing new things, and just living a fun social life. I get FOMO easily because I hate feeling like I’m wasting time at home. When I see people going on trips, making memories, and living fully, it makes me feel like I’m not living up to my potential or having as much fun as I should be at this age. and i am able to pay for these things because i work and because i grind hard for good opportunities.

Right now I’m in Seattle for an internship on a gap year and I don’t know anyone here. I live alone and it feels really isolating. I’ve been dating a girl since New Year’s who goes to school here and shes a very outgoing party girl (goes out gets drunk every week generally as she should no issue there), and we’re close and obviously we make memories together. But when she talks about going out and getting drunk, shows me videos she filmed, and planning trips, it reminds me of everything I’m missing. It’s the same feeling I get from social media. It’s not about her doing anything wrong, she’s just the clearest example.

Before this internship, I had that life with my friends in college. Now all they do is drink at home and play poker. They’re stingy, terrible planners, and we’ve never gone on a real trip. It feels like they’ve become a big blocker to the life I want. I’m underwhelmed about going back to school because I don’t see myself getting that fun, outgoing life back with them.

In Seattle, all I do is work and study for interviews. I’m not 21 so I can’t go to bars. The other interns mostly do their own thing. Most days I just feel alone. It’s hard to make good memories and it feels like time is flying by. I really want to live a good, memorable, fun life. I want to go out, visit new cities, party, meet people, and feel like I’m actually living. Lately, I feel like I haven’t been.

I’ve also realized that in relationships I lose my sense of self. I focus a lot on my partner/gf, and even though I’m happy with her, I stop building my own life. So I’m not alone emotionally, but I still feel lonely in terms of experiences, fun, lifestyle.

People suggest hobbies like guitar or chess, but those feel like time-pass, distraction activities to me, not things that help me grow or make real memories. I just feel bored, stuck, and like I’m wasting my youth. I want more. and I have the money that i make from work to go do it, i just am struggling to find the company and opportunity since im not old enough and am alone. Any advice?

Posted Feb 17, 2026, 3:14 AM UTC

10
Loading comments…