I am beginning to realise that in order to pursue my goals, I'm going to have to do things differently to the vast majority of my friends. A lot of them are comfortable in their relationships and in their jobs, some have children, some are married.

Only one of them, and he one of my best friends, understands the path I am setting out on. But even he, I suspect, will look to settle down within the next year or so.

Just interested to hear if anyone here has found themselves in a similar position, and their take on it?

Yeah the last thing you want to do in life is end up with partner you love, a job you like and some kids, I mean sheesh what were they thinking ??.

Seriously though, by all means have ambition but perhaps also consider what you can learn from your friends about being happier.

See the world through your own eyes. Do it, grow and good luck!

When I see others in these situations I do wonder how happy some of my friends are though. I wonder if some are they doing it to live up to other's/society's expectations, or just settling for what they have got.

To address the original question, I am surrounded by friends in the same situations as you Smiley, and barely have any close single mates left. I have made it very explicit about the path I am taking and pretty much everyone I know acknowledges I am now a happier person now I am out of my steady eddie relationship. Some of my close mates are very intrigued as they think I have taken a big risk, as they too thought my ex-girlfriend was hot, and exclaimed how 'lucky' I was.

Thus, I am on my own path and cannot be relying on anyone else to acheive my goals. However I do wonder if some of them will be encouraged to break free from their comfort zones upon seeing any potential results on my part, as some of them seem very intrigued about where I am now heading.

I agree that they may be happy, but I can also see that some of them feel trapped by their situation - and do not want to step outside of the comfort zone.

Just realizing that what makes me happy is different to them.

That's good to hear man - you seem to have a clear idea of the direction in which you wish to go.

I don't want to lose my friends, but at the same time I realise that I am becoming more proactive in trying to move myself forward. Hence the 'lonely path' analogy.

What are you looking to do that is so different from your friends?

gay. Dude, relax.

Please expand on this.