[Duke]

I wouldn't feel inadequate at all, quite the opposite really.

It took me a few reads to fully understand (or think I understand) the context of the post. In fact my tired mind did not put WSJ and Wall Street Journal together, a Google search did that

Although I haven't lived her life, I've lived a pretty exciting one up till my later twenties. I can tell you I had a lot of fun but most of it was due to my self-serving bs attitude toward screw the world, I'm doing it all good or bad. Does this mean my life is or was better than yours, absolutely not, just different?

I honestly think that you're bored enough in your own life that you're seeking fulfillment in the lives of others. Listening to your friend’s world wind adventures provides an escape outlet for your seemingly mundane lifestyle. Is your life mundane, or simply structured? Personally, I'd give anything to be in your shoes because I'm tired of the bs associated with partying and all the crap that goes with it. It's fun for a while but gets old very fast.

Also, is your friend truly happy? Just because she wears the mask of excitement doesn't necessarily mean she feels it behind closed doors. Maybe she is happy. Either way, no matter what she's doing her life is no better than yours. She is not better than you or more exciting than you.

It sounds to me like you may have fallen in a bit of a rut and need a way out or a temporary escape, if only for a few short hours a week. That’s what this bar has become for you, a Disneyland for the subconscious. You need to find an outlet that peaks your interest, challenges you, makes you happy, or otherwise fills the gap you feel you have in your life. It may sound easy but it probably isn't.

Maybe a deeper look into your life is in order. Talk to some friends, family or whomever you can trust to give you a truthful or insightful answer to who you currently are. I think posting on a board like this shows that you have some concerns but are unsure as to what they are and how to properly deal with them.

By the way, I hope I didn't post anything that may seem derogatory or negative. I may have even misread the post and just typed out my rear for the past 20 minutes, and for that I apologize. I am no expert and admit it openly. I'm just a guy who's seen the party, lived the party and eventually hated the party. Like everything, repetition gets old over time. You always need something new in your life to keep you happy and motivated. Maybe you're just missing something in your life and instead of looking inward for the solution, you're looking outward.

BTW, if I completely missed the mark then let me know. I thank you for the post though, it really made me think.