It feels like I'm just withering my life away, what with all my time spent working, sleeping, going out with friends, and this annoying apartment search.

Living in NYC and realizing how much resources and activities I'm not taking advantage of is swiftly going from a guilty pricking to full blown anxiety.

All around me people seem immersed in side projects, giving their life another dimension beyond just work, dinner, drinks, and sleep (repeat ad nauseum). Whether it's to do something they've always dreamed of, keep them busy, working towards another goal, for future potential, or furthering development of hobbies and/or self, they've found a way to keep their lives from being mundane.

My lack of direction, laziness, and indecision; however, are my own to criticize and also do something about.

Don't use me as an example to make yourself feel better.

I'm happy you have lectures to go to, performances to enjoy, classes to take, personal projects to enrich your lives. Good for you, sincerely good for you.

However, do you have to sit there explaining to me like I'm incapable of understanding this need to do something else? Am I so wrapped up in my own life that you need to, point by point, tell me how much better yours' is? To use me as an example of the "trap" so many people fall into and how I'm squandering away my potential and how you are fighting that trap? Then to sit back with a self satisfied smile. Really, even with my insignificant life, I have better things to be than your mirror for self-justification.

Oh trust me, your comments wouldn't bother me so much if I didn't feel at least somewhat the same way; read first paragraph. That I chose to quietly seek projects/classes/hobbies is really none of your business. I'm the one who needs to either change my activities or change my attitude. In the end, even if I chose to do nothing but work and sleep, who are you to judge? I don't point to you to make myself feel better in comparison. Don't do the same to me.

I have friends who do criticize certain choices I make or don't make. But the difference is I know they are doing so out of concern or because I've complained to them about how I need to make some changes in my daily life. Their words and actions come from caring about me, wanting to see me happy and fulfilled, and in some ways needing the same for themselves.

You; however, are just full of yourself and the sad thing is that you need to put others down to make yourself feel better. Disapprove of me? I'll keep that in mind next time we see each other.