/lit/ - Literature

anyone feel like sometimes they’re wasting their time on the theoretical?

I have a BA in English Literature, an MA in Comp Lit, and a PhD in English Literature. I’m lecturing at a middling university in Europe and spend my time reading, researching, publishing papers and tutoring.

While I take a measure of quiet pride in my academic achievements, it’s difficult seeing some of my peers live lives of ‘action’. One of my friends who also did Eng Lit undergrad went into consulting, has just wrapped up an MBA at a top business school and is now earning $250k+. He has a huge house, nice car and a holiday villa in Italy. With his money and influence he’s able to sit on boards of charities and have more of a meaningful impact, and - to top it all off - he’s still managed to publish short stories in decent journals, and is working on his first novel.

I guess it’s a bit of a crisis mixed with jealousy. Not everyone is called to the same path. Aristotle tutored Alexander - did Alexander really achieve more? I guess I’m an Aristotle panicking that I should have been an Alexander. Can anyone relate?