In my early 20s I craved it and was depressed too. In my 30s I used on my career to forget about it. Here I am in my 40s and on my third existential crisis.

I lost myself. My career took the place of me. I didn't notice until I achieved my major milestones where I knew I'd planned to slow my career ambition. The final stages of my plan.

I slowed my ambition because there's nothing more I need from my career. Of course that means I focused intently on something else. Well that something else was me, and my instantly visible existential crisis.

Refinding the 20 year old and the preteen version of me that figured a ton of this stuff out and knew what they really wanted wasn't easy.

If I were to give advice to late-twenties me, I'd tell them they should stay true to themself and not get lost in their career. I'd tell them not to hide, not to escape, and to show people the awesome person they are, beyond just a great worker and leader.

I'd tell them they'll be far more successful than they'd ever dream of, and being their true self, and making really connections, and being vulnerable wouldn't hurt them. But keeping it all repressed, and lying to themself about their desires, would.

It's tough when that part of you wakes back up. It kicks your ass. Or at least that's how it went for me.

But that's just me. We all have our own story to play out. Maybe you'll stay just as happy as you are now. Maybe you truly don't need that kind of connection.