Doesn't hurt to ask yourself WHY career progress is important. If it is to be fulfilled, fine. Or perhaps at least temporarily to earn money so retirement is less of a worry and/or you have freedom in your career due to chunks of mortgage paid off early. However, plenty of people who progress far in their career become unhappy, and others who feel a failure because they didn't get promoted or have a glamorous job, are likely actually happier than they would have been if promoted. (more time with family etc). I have things in my life I wish I could have done, but nearly all of them, there were clear obstacles to doing them, not something I could have done a lot about. So I don't have many regrets. "No use crying over spilt milk" anyway. My advice is don't worry too much. Also don't develop expensive habits. Living frugally is very free-ing and less stressful, than having to have a high income to support high expectations. A lot of people talk about fitness. Obsessively so , IMHO. ITs become this massive industry. Really -don't eat too much junk food, try to walk or cycle places where possible, possibly find some sport you enjoy and do it reasonably often - seems to do the trick.