A lot of my friends from high school were gay or goth or otherwise went out of their way to separate themselves from the “norm”. Now that we’re all in our mid 30s, their lives s***. They’re still living paycheck to paycheck, no house, no stable relationship, etc… I may have been nerdy and too eager to conform when I was younger, but look at me now! Married, beautiful children, amazing house, amazing career I love. In short, I have a life AND a future. You have only your memories and regrets.