What's hilarious is that, from the perspective of a detached, objective observer, I integrate much more comfortably into normal human society than you do.
Career: well, you are two and a half years older and you work as a high school teacher. Before that you were working rather low-paying jobs and doing some free-lance stuff. I have the option of working as a high school teacher, and perhaps will have the option of working as a programmer of sorts, although I'm beginning to doubt that I want to do that. Before that I was teaching part-time privately. You've done more work during your life, and I've definitely been latent for long periods.
Financial stability: I don't have much money now, but I've mostly supported myself for the past 5 years. I've never been in debt. I would say I am pretty stable, although I am definitely not rich.
Long-term relationships: Men typically start later. I have started later than most men. I've never had what you might call a long-term relationship. There was something that lasted for about half a year, but it was a bit weird. I feel myself to be in constant transition, and I am not sure I want to take anyone along for the ride at this point.
Social networks: You have more friends and you socialize more. Many of your friends are on strained terms with well-being, but aren't we all. The one thing I am somewhat proud of is closely knowing a good number of academics and graduate students, as well as IT professionals and engineers, but that reflects my social inclinations, not my degree of integration.
I think the categories you propose deal with "stability" more than with "normalcy". Not to say that stability is not a large part of normalcy. Here are a few I would add:
Mental health: I have never been on medications. This may reflect a cultural difference: we Russians don't do SSRI's nearly as much as you North Americans, but I don't think it is limited to that.
Family: I am on good and close terms with all my immediate relatives without exception.
Overall, I think that you are both better integrated and more of a control freak about integrating. I'll give you an advantage, but I'm not sure it is huge.
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Not saying, before you protest, that these are all things that should be valued or held as a measure of one's success as a human being.
How did we get to these sad subjects?
Career: well, you are two and a half years older and you work as a high school teacher. Before that you were working rather low-paying jobs and doing some free-lance stuff. I have the option of working as a high school teacher, and perhaps will have the option of working as a programmer of sorts, although I'm beginning to doubt that I want to do that. Before that I was teaching part-time privately. You've done more work during your life, and I've definitely been latent for long periods.
Financial stability: I don't have much money now, but I've mostly supported myself for the past 5 years. I've never been in debt. I would say I am pretty stable, although I am definitely not rich.
Long-term relationships: Men typically start later. I have started later than most men. I've never had what you might call a long-term relationship. There was something that lasted for about half a year, but it was a bit weird. I feel myself to be in constant transition, and I am not sure I want to take anyone along for the ride at this point.
Social networks: You have more friends and you socialize more. Many of your friends are on strained terms with well-being, but aren't we all. The one thing I am somewhat proud of is closely knowing a good number of academics and graduate students, as well as IT professionals and engineers, but that reflects my social inclinations, not my degree of integration.
I think the categories you propose deal with "stability" more than with "normalcy". Not to say that stability is not a large part of normalcy. Here are a few I would add:
Mental health: I have never been on medications. This may reflect a cultural difference: we Russians don't do SSRI's nearly as much as you North Americans, but I don't think it is limited to that.
Family: I am on good and close terms with all my immediate relatives without exception.
Overall, I think that you are both better integrated and more of a control freak about integrating. I'll give you an advantage, but I'm not sure it is huge.
Re: How did we get to these sad subjects?