Why Milestones Don’t Work the Way We Think They Do

Life milestones are often treated as markers of success, stability, and happiness—but they rarely reflect how real growth actually unfolds. Many people feel behind in life during their 30s or 40s not because they’ve failed, but because timelines ignore context, nervous system needs, and non-linear development. This article explores why milestones create anxiety, how comparison distorts self-trust, and what it means to build a meaningful life outside rigid timelines.