Why do I still feel like a failure despite career success and promotions?

Question

When I was 17 I decided to make a career and get a high paying job.
And after Batchlors I achieved it very quickly.
My first job was as a software tester then a developer.
I quickly got promoted to senior developer within a year.
But I still felt like I was a failure.
I started looking around me , with career people have built relationships, talents, learn new things whereas I only wished for all of them
Due to embarrassment I never learnt anything new as I was just bad at everything.
Now I feel I am a failure, because now I want to get loved. And without any skills it's not possible.

Daniel707 · Accepted Answer

Because there’s always something better there’s always someone who has more or had more sooner. The issue is that you’re being too hard on yourself, there will always be something better than what you’re doing. You could always be paid more, have a higher ranking job, have more degrees, more credentials, etc. You are also someone’s perfect something there is someone out there jealous of you right now wishing they were in your position.

exitseven · Accepted Answer

look, you are still young and it is not too late, Find something you are interested in doing and figure out how to learn how to do it. You were able to figure out how to get a good job. You can do this too. Dont make excuses.

WhitneySnow · Accepted Answer

Because you don’t have a special person in your life. But you’re not a failure. You’re probably just better at your career than at interpersonal relationships.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

You’re not a failure; you’re a specialist who over‑invested in one area: career. I’ve seen this often in my coaching work and lived a version of it myself.

A few thoughts and steps:

1. Redefine “success”
Career is one pillar, not the whole building. Add: relationships, health, hobbies, values, contribution.

2. Learn to learn again (without embarrassment)
Start tiny: one skill you’re curious about (guitar, gym, cooking, public speaking). Commit to 15 minutes a day. Allow being bad; it’s a phase, not an identity.

3. Relationships ≠ skills only
People feel loved for presence, kindness, reliability, humor, listening. List 3 people you already have (family, colleagues, old friends) and deepen one connection this week: a message, a call, coffee.

4. Challenge the “I’m just bad at everything” story
Evidence: you became a senior developer in a year. That takes learning, discipline, and intelligence. Each time the “failure” thought appears, counter it with one concrete achievement or quality.

5. Consider a coach or therapist
Persistent feelings of inadequacy often come from old beliefs, not current reality. A professional can help unpack that.

You’re not late to this; you’re just at the stage where many high achievers realise they now need to build the *rest* of their life.

Hunter-40m · Answer

Then you have high expectations from yourself and compete with yourself its a good thing to exceed your expectations and do better than what you succeeded last

Godihateyou · Answer

Because career success and promotions don't mean a fucking thing in life. You call out sick once and your fucking fired. Re evaluate your life mate. You are a loser if work is your life

RedInnocent69 · Answer

The best ones are like that. FDR had manic depression

jahaims · Answer

Your parents

Why do I still feel like a failure despite career success and promotions?

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