A growing number of adults feel like they’re falling short of some invisible timeline—financially, emotionally, socially, or professionally. Even people who appear “successful” on paper quietly wonder why everyone else seems to be moving forward while they’re stuck treading water.

When the world shifted toward remote work, many people were hopeful. The idea of skipping commutes, spending more time with family, and working in sweatpants sounded like a dream. Yet, several years into the widespread work-from-home era, countless professionals are reporting something very different…