If these 10 things feel normal to you, you're probably doing better than 90% of people

Ever notice how social media makes it seem like everyone's living their best life except you?

We scroll through perfectly curated feeds, read about overnight success stories, and wonder if we're falling behind. But here's what I've learned after leaving the corporate world and spending years observing what actually makes people thrive: the real indicators of doing well in life are often the quiet, unsexy habits that nobody posts about.

The truth is, if certain things feel routine to you, you might be leagues ahead of most people without even realizing it. These aren't flashy achievements or Instagram-worthy moments. They're the foundational practices that separate those who are genuinely content from those who are constantly chasing the next thing.

Let me walk you through ten signs that suggest you're actually crushing it at life, even if it doesn't always feel that way.

1. You have boring weekends (and that's okay)

Remember when having no plans for the weekend felt like social failure? Well, if you're comfortable spending Saturday morning reading a book, tending to your home, or simply doing nothing productive, congratulations. You've mastered something most people struggle with: being present without constant stimulation.

I used to pack my weekends with networking events and social obligations, thinking that's what successful people did. Now? My Saturdays often involve trail running at dawn and puttering around my garden. No photos, no updates, just living. The ability to enjoy simple, quiet moments without feeling like you're missing out is a superpower in our hyperconnected world.

2. Your friend group has gotten smaller

If you can count your close friends on one hand, you're not antisocial. You're selective. And that's brilliant.

Quality over quantity isn't just a nice saying; it's how emotionally intelligent people operate. While others maintain exhausting networks of superficial connections, you've figured out that three genuine friendships beat thirty acquaintances any day. This shift from collecting friends like trading cards to nurturing meaningful relationships is a sign of emotional maturity that most people don't achieve until their forties, if ever.

3. You say "no" without elaborate explanations

"Sorry, I can't make it."

That's a complete sentence. If you've learned to decline invitations, requests, and opportunities without launching into a five-minute justification, you've cracked a code that eludes most people. The ability to protect your time and energy without guilt or extensive explanation shows you understand your worth and priorities.

This took me years to learn. I used to accept every work project, every social invite, every volunteer opportunity. Now? My "no" is as valuable as my "yes," and both come without apology.

4. You've stopped trying to impress people you don't even like

Think about how much energy people waste trying to win approval from individuals they wouldn't even want to have coffee with. If you've stopped caring what your judgmental neighbor thinks or quit trying to impress that toxic former colleague on LinkedIn, you're ahead of the game.

This isn't about being rude or dismissive. It's about recognizing that not everyone's opinion deserves real estate in your head. The moment you stop performing for an audience that doesn't matter, you free up incredible amounts of mental and emotional energy.

5. Your morning routine happens before checking your phone

If the first thing you do each morning doesn't involve a screen, you're practicing a level of self-control that's becoming increasingly rare. Whether it's making coffee, stretching, journaling, or simply sitting in silence for five minutes, starting your day on your own terms rather than immediately consuming other people's content is a game-changer.

I wake at 5:30 AM for my trail runs, and my phone stays untouched until after I'm back and showered. Those early morning hours in nature, with just my thoughts and the sunrise, set a tone of intention rather than reaction for my entire day.

6. You're okay with being misunderstood

Not everyone will get your choices, and if that doesn't keep you up at night, you're winning. When I left my analyst position for a significant pay cut to pursue writing, plenty of people thought I'd lost my mind. Former colleagues couldn't understand walking away from financial security for "fulfillment."

But here's what most people don't realize: the need to be understood by everyone is exhausting and impossible. If you can make decisions based on your values rather than others' comprehension, you've achieved a level of self-assurance that many never reach.

7. You invest in things nobody sees

Therapy sessions. Quality sleep. Healthy food. Regular medical checkups. These invisible investments don't make for exciting social media posts, but they're the foundation of a life well-lived.

If you're spending money and time on things that improve your mental and physical health rather than just your image, you understand something fundamental that escapes many: the best investments are often the ones nobody else notices.

8. You've made peace with your past mistakes

While others lie awake replaying their failures, you've learned to view mistakes as data points rather than character flaws. This doesn't mean you don't care about growth; it means you've stopped letting shame be your motivator.

I spent years in finance making decisions I now question, chasing metrics that didn't align with my values. But instead of drowning in regret, I use those experiences to inform my current choices. If you can look at your past with curiosity rather than judgment, you've developed a psychological flexibility that most people never achieve.

9. You have regular "nothing" time

When did doing nothing become a luxury? If you regularly schedule time with no agenda, no goals, and no productivity metrics, you understand something crucial about sustainable success. This might be 15 minutes of evening journaling like I do, or an hour of simply sitting on your porch.

Most people fill every moment with stimulation, mistaking busy-ness for importance. But the ability to be alone with your thoughts without immediately reaching for distraction is becoming a rare skill. It's in these quiet moments that creativity blooms and self-awareness deepens.

10. You've stopped comparing your behind-the-scenes to everyone's highlight reel

This might be the most important one. If you can scroll past someone's promotion announcement, vacation photos, or relationship milestone without that familiar pang of inadequacy, you've achieved something remarkable.

You understand that everyone's fighting battles you know nothing about. That successful entrepreneur might be dealing with crushing anxiety. That perfect couple might be in therapy. When you truly grasp that everyone's just figuring it out as they go, comparison loses its sting.

The bottom line

If even half of these things resonate with you, you're doing better than you think. Real success isn't always loud or obvious. It's often found in the quiet confidence of someone who's stopped playing games they don't want to win.

The irony is that the people doing genuinely well rarely realize it because they're not constantly measuring themselves against others. They're too busy actually living their lives.

So next time you're doubting your progress, remember: the fact that you're thinking deeply about your life rather than just racing through it already puts you ahead of most. Keep going. You're doing better than you know.