When you talk about having a "decent shot at a normal life", I think you're assuming what's desirable for you is what's desirable for other people. It's hard to imagine someone finding fulfillment in being the lifestyle you had in mind for them if they're finding anguish in it already.
Right, having this sort of preconceived notion of what beauty and success should look like is entirely the problem in the first place.
I listened to people like this throwaway account and tried to hide from my feelings because I wanted to be "successful" and live the easier life where I would have more opportunity etc.. So I worked hard, got ahead in my career, married a beautiful woman, bought a big house, nice car, blah blah. I was a very "successful" man, but I was totally miserable.
