Dear FayWhat, I’m a 26-year-old gay guy living in Fort Lauderdale, and lately I feel like I’m stuck in two worlds. Half of my friends are living the “circuit party, never stop dancing” life, and the other half are settling down, getting dogs, buying houses, and talking about 401ks. I feel like I don’t fit neatly into either group. I still want to have fun, but I also want more than just hookups and hangovers. Is it normal to feel like I’m “behind” somehow, even though I’m doing fine in my career and I take care of myself? Signed, Somewhere in Middle Terrace – Fort Lauderdale
Dear Somewhere in the Middle, Honey, first of all — welcome to adulthood, gay edition. The good news is: there is no wrong way to do it. Some people are buying throw pillows and walking their French bulldogs, others are still in a harness on a dance floor at 5 a.m. And guess what? Both groups think they’re doing it right. Here’s the truth: you don’t have to pick a lane. You get to design your own lane. Want to go hard at a party one weekend and spend the next binge-watching Netflix with takeout? That’s balance. The feeling of being “behind” usually comes from comparing your timeline to someone else’s. But baby, your timeline is yours. As long as you’re taking care of your health, your career, and your heart, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. So, stop asking, “Where do I fit?” and start asking, “What do I want today?” That’s where the joy is. Keep writing and sending your questions to faywhat@happeningout.com.
