Why do I constantly feel like I’m falling behind ?

I’m,working as an engineer in Bangalore earning 7.5 LPA. I graduated from a tier-3 college and right now 1500+ kms away from home for this job. I have a single mother, so I’ve always carried this internal pressure to “make it” fast.

From the outside, things look okay. I have a job. I’m independent. I survive in a Tier-1 city.

But internally, I feel constant pressure. Like I’m running out of time at 22.

Most of my friends are earning 10+ LPA. Some are at 20–30. A few are even at 50–70 LPA in big tech or funded startups. Every time I see their updates or hear about hikes, ESOPs, foreign trips, I feel small. I start questioning my choices, my college, my speed.

I want to build a tech business someday. I’ve been trying to create side income streams while working full-time, but no clients yet. That makes me feel like I’m failing twice ... not excelling at my job salary-wise, and not succeeding in building something of my own either.

I live far from home. There’s no safety net. Bangalore is expensive. Responsibility doesn’t switch off. I constantly feel like I need to accelerate everything .. earn more, build faster, become something bigger. Even on weekends, I can’t relax without guilt. If I’m resting, I feel like I’m losing.

It feels like I’m always in a hurry. Like life is a race and I started behind.

Logically I know 22 is young but Emotionally, I feel late.

How do you deal with this constant pressure, comparison, and the feeling that you’re not moving fast enough in life?