why am I not good enough?
The story
i’ve spent my whole life chasing the dream of being a pro footballer, y’know? every day, training on my own, with the lads, at the gym, trying to push myself harder than yesterday. i’d wake up early, sleep late, never stopped thinking about the game. but now, i’m 23, and it’s finally hitting me that maybe, just maybe, i’m not good enough. no club’s ever taken me seriously, and i can’t even get a spot to earn a basic salary from this. it hurts, honestly, because i gave it everything i had. my parents, bless them, they’ve been my biggest cheerleaders, always saying “don’t give up,” but i can see it in their eyes too – they’re worried about what comes next. i should’ve studied more, kept my options open, but all i could think of was football. now it feels like i’m standing at the edge of a cliff, wondering what to do next. do i keep pushing for something that’s not happening, or do i finally admit i need a plan b?
the thing is, i don’t even know what i’d do if it’s not football. i’ve put all my eggs in this basket for so long, i can’t imagine doing anything else. i didn’t focus on school, didn’t get a trade, nothing. football was my life, my identity. now i feel like a fool, and it’s scary. but i guess life’s not over yet. there’s still time to figure something out, even if it means starting from scratch. i’ve been thinking about coaching, maybe working with kids, trying to pass on what i know. or i could look at fitness training or something else sporty – something that keeps me close to the game. it’s not the big dream i had, but it’s a start, right? i’m not gonna sit around and mope forever, i just need to get my head straight and make a new plan; maybe this was never meant to be my path in the first place. have you ever felt like your dream was slipping away from you and you had to start again?
sometimes i feel embarrassed talking about this, like i’m letting everyone down – my family, my mates, even myself. but deep down, i know they just want me to be happy. it’s not about how much money you make or the career you have, it’s about waking up and feeling good about what you’re doing. i don’t want to waste more years chasing something that’s breaking me down. i’m still young, i’ve got time to figure it out, and i’m not afraid to work hard – i just need to be smart about it. maybe i’ll find something that gives me the same buzz as football. maybe it’ll take a while. but i’m not giving up on life, not on my dreams either, just shifting them a bit. at the end of the day, it’s about finding your own version of success, whatever that looks like. so why am i not good enough? maybe i am – just not for the path i thought i wanted.
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Points of view
It's really tough to let go of a dream you've chased for so long. But honestly, you’re doing the right thing by thinking of other options; life’s not always a straight path. Just because one dream didn’t pan out doesn’t mean it’s the end. I had to shift gears too when I realized I wasn’t gonna be the rockstar I thought I’d be. It’s scary but kind of exciting too, right? What do you think about trying coaching or fitness training first? Keep your head up!
i really feel you on this one!!! it’s hard when you’ve dedicated your life to something and it doesn’t go as planned. i’ve been there, and it’s tough to swallow. football’s your world, but sometimes reality bites hard.!!! you’ve put in the hours, so it’s not like you didn’t try. have you thought more about coaching???? my buddy went from dreams of being a pro athlete to coaching, and he ended up loving it. hang in there; something good will come out of this!!!!
hey, i completely get where you’re coming from. chasing the pro footballer dream is no small feat. the grind is real, and not everyone gets the break they deserve; it's heartbreaking. reminds me of when i thought i'd make it big in music but realized the odds were against me. considering coaching or fitness training could keep you in the sports world. it’s reassuring to think that maybe it’s a redirection rather than a full stop. 🤔 hang in there, keep exploring your options.
hey, i hear you, but maybe time to face reality. your passion’s no joke, but sometimes "hard work" doesn’t always mean success. there’s more to life than this one dream. thinking about a "plan b" isn’t failing; it's smart. in the sports industry, adaptability is key; many ex-players say the same when they shift careers. don’t feel bad about it, just be prepared for change. consider it: what if you’re pouring energy into something that's inevitable? 🤔
hey, i totally get what you're going through; it’s rough when dreams don't pan out like we thought. you've poured your heart and soul into football, and that takes a lot of guts ❤️. reminds me of when i realized i wouldn’t make it as a guitarist; practicing every day but still couldn’t catch the break. it’s tough and you feel kinda lost. but loads of athletes talk about how diversifying your skills can actually open new doors. coaching sounds like a great idea; have you thought more about working with kids or something in sports training? maybe it can give you that connection to the game you love 🤞. hang in there, your hard work will pay off in some way.
i totally get what you're feeling! chasing a big dream like being a pro footballer is intense, and it’s hard when things don’t work out; but it’s not the end!!! there’s so much more you can do with your passion for the game. maybe coaching or sports training can still give you that connection and buzz ⚽️ you’ve got the drive, and things will fall into place. keep your chin up and explore those new paths!!!