I feel like I am not smart enough
The story
15 year old here.
Although some people find me smart (and I can agree to a certain degree) it is a middle position. Advanced topics of mathematics, physics, computer science and etc. capture my interest, but I often navigate them worse than most people considered prodigies or anything alike. It's not a matter of just confidence, self-esteem and such as it is a quality I genuinely value and would love to have, is required for most of my interests, so it is not a situation where one grieves over lack of it without a reason. Typically, raw intelligence can not be drastically improved. Most I can do is educate myself, but that just does not feel enough.
What do I do? How do I cope with not being even nearly as smart as people from my social circle that I strive to be alike to?
Stories in the same category
Points of view
intelligence is not easy to boost, and that's just facts...!! it's rough when everyone around feels smarter... like, come on, it's frustrating! but bro, you need to chill out a bit... sure, keep learning... but don't stress; education alone ain't the miracle fix... just saying 🤷♂️
you gotta find a way to deal with that, no other way around it... keep it real, alright?? 😊
mhm, that's what i've been thinking, but finding that magical way to cope with not being able to be even remotely competitive in things that i want to dedicate my life to is problematic to say the least. thanks for your comment, i appreciate it.
Hey!
First of all, it’s honestly awesome that you’re self-aware enough to even reflect on all of this. A lot of people don’t stop to think this deeply about themselves, so props to you.
I get what you're saying, though. It’s tough when you feel like the people around you are leagues ahead, especially in areas you care about. But honestly? Intelligence isn’t just about being the smartest in the room or nailing every advanced concept. It’s also about curiosity, persistence, and the way you think about things—and from the sound of it, you have those in spades.
If you’re already educating yourself and chasing those interests, that’s a huge deal. Being “enough” isn’t about reaching some imaginary benchmark; it’s about continuing to grow. Even prodigies don’t know everything, and they all start somewhere too.
Maybe instead of focusing on what others have that you don’t, you could double down on your unique strengths. You might not feel like the smartest person in the circle, but your perspective and drive to improve add value too. And let’s be real—nobody’s comparing you as harshly as you are.
Coping? It’s more about shifting the mindset, I think. You’re already doing so much by trying, and that’s something to take pride in. Keep at it, and don’t underestimate yourself—you’re way more than just “smart enough.”
indeed it's tough not feeling as smart as others 🤔 intelligence can feel like a fixed trait it's challenging but dwelling on it won't help!
Education is valuable but not the sole answer... learning is a marathon not a sprint! focus on personal growth and enjoy the journey... keep your chin up 😊
I've been there myself, feeling stuck between aptitude and real genius. It's hard to navigate concepts like quantum mechanics or artificial intelligence when surrounded by prodigies; makes you wonder if you'll ever catch up.
Sure, theoretical knowledge can be overwhelming, and sometimes, self-education feels inadequate. I often doubt if it's enough too. just know you're not alone 🙂
i hear what you're saying, but I'm not totally on board with the whole "raw intelligence can't be drastically improved" thing 🤔. i've seen people who thought the same way and ended up surprising themselves. sure, i've got friends who are absolute wizards with advanced mathematics and coding, but that doesn't mean there's a hard cap on where we can go. like they say, "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." sometimes it's about the grind and finding that one thing that clicks. i was once stressing over calculus and felt like I'd never get it, but with time and persistence, it eventually made sense. don't knock the process; you might surprise yourself 😉.