"Gifted Kids" And "Old Souls" And Where They Are Now In Life, As They Said In This Reddit Thread
It seems that many have experienced the gifted-kid burnout syndrome.
Some people grow up being called gifted, talented, or wise beyond their years, then spend adulthood trying to make sense of what that label actually left behind. A Reddit thread about former "gifted kids" and "old souls" pulled in a flood of replies from people who said their childhood promise did not exactly translate into an easy adult life.
The posts range from dead-end jobs and therapy to late diagnoses, burnout, and a few surprising success stories. What makes the thread hit so hard is how many people recognized themselves in the same pattern, high expectations early on, then a much messier reality later.
The replies are blunt, funny, and sometimes painfully honest. Here is how the conversation unfolded.
That being said, when a Reddit user asked this question in the r/AskReddit community, "ex"-gifted kids and old souls crowded the replies and shared where they ended up in life. Take a look at the best responses below!
RedditThe replies got honest fast.
1. All those won contests, gained medals, and high grades, only to end up at a dead-end job
Reddit2. Some of them are now in therapy to unpack years of trauma and pressure
Reddit
3. A bonus if they are gay now
Reddit
4. A sad truth about people who peaked when they were in grade school
Reddit
5. This one's got a PhD!
Reddit
6. It's a good thing and a relief to see that some of them still ended up successful, after all. However, there are still some negative aspects to consider.
Reddit
That mix of success and burnout shows up again and again.
7. A doctor that needs rehab
Reddit
8. This sums it all up
Reddit
9. Oh, the damn imposter syndrome
Reddit
10. The mental health struggles are real
Reddit
11. The dark side of being the gifted kid too early
Reddit
12. Waiting to die
Reddit
13. What's important is that they are happy now
Reddit
Reddit
Some of the most relatable replies were the ones about finally feeling okay.
This also echoes the 27F who chose graphic design over her parents’ medicine demands.
14. The key to a truly happier life!
Reddit
15. A lot of adults who were gifted kids are actually late diagnosed!
Reddit
16. A great thing to do is to prevent kids from experiencing the pressure and burnout associated with being gifted at an early age
Reddit
17. Struggling in Med School
Reddit
18. If you are looking for a sign to get tested again, this is it!
Reddit
19. A stargazer? Hmm.
Reddit
20. Sometimes life does not go the way you want it to
Reddit
21. Happiness should always be a priority
Reddit
22. Still pushing through
Reddit
23. The desire to have a job that does not necessarily require you to think
Reddit
24. A programmer at home
Reddit
OP even jumped back in to say they were late diagnosed too, which made the whole thread feel even more personal.
OP had to comment on how they were late diagnosed, too!
Reddit
No matter where they ended up, it's great to know that some of them are happy now with their current situation, regardless of their career and status. Conversely, it's also sad to hear that some are suffering from significant mental health issues due to the years they dedicated to being the best.
Comment with your thoughts or share this article for all your family and friends to see!
Gifted does not always mean easy.
For another boundary battle, see what happened when an overachieving sibling’s constant comparisons pushed them to skip a family gathering.
