First of all, I would like to thank TRP and the community for literally changing my life, but once again, I come seeking your council.

Grab a cup of tea because this will be a bit long.

After swallowing the pill in 2018 after a terrible breakup, the following year was one of greatness. I accomplished feats I thought impossible in every realm but the progress now seems stagnant. I have 2 topics I want to ask about:

1. Professional/Financial Life

One year from now I expect to be delivering my master thesis on a STEM field and after that, everything seems blurry.

The thought of the rat race has been been on my mind for months now, and having made internships, being involved in the business world through college and living with housemates who already work in companies or banks, more and more I’m getting the impression that that is something I don’t want to do.

As a disclaimer, I’m fully willing to work in order to provide for myself and save some money but I certainly don’t want to be doing that for the rest of my life. Having to be incarcerated in a “co-working, open concept” office building from 9 to 7 or 8pm just to get hammered on Fridays and Saturdays just isn’t for me.

They are still living in the same shared apartment they were living in when in college (and I understand, in a way, since rent where I live is ridiculously expensive) and they seem happy with that but every time I ask them about it they just say “Well that’s just how it is” when I sense that it does not have to be, neither that deep down, they are not happy but only comfortable with that.

What would you do? Immediately join the workforce after graduation? Look or create a side business? Change country to one where the tax and retirement laws are more forgiving and work there?

I’m 23, no debt, no significant savings or assets if it’s relevant, European country and the average salary for entry-level positions after taxes is ~1200€ max.

2. Social Life

Although I have never had very strong male friendships, going RP only made it worse in my experience. I am no longer invited to hangouts or parties like I used to. I met a lot of people since then but to me they are just simple acquaintances. People you would not travel with or pretty much confide anything to.

I have given it a lot of thought and aside from my family, I don’t really have people I would call friends. I tend to have a history of backstabbing throughout my life and so, deep down, I see myself sometimes as a lone wolf.

I am fit, lean not ripped, I take care of my skin, my haircut and wardrobe. I play the guitar, surf, participated as president of my college's Toastmasters club, and I am an active member of my college student’s union. There’s something I’m doing wrong, I just don’t know what it is.

Any tips?

Thank you in advance.