I feel like I'm constantly several years behind other people

I've thought the same thing (although I can't relate to being ahead at school). I don't have any advice, I just wanted to let you know that there is at least one other person who feels similar.

The problem for me is that I now know there is all that stuff out there and I want to experience it ASAP but it's probably going to take time to do all of the things I want do, if you know what I mean.

Intelligence and ability wise, I was ahead of other people by many years throughout school, but in a lot of other ways, I feel like I'm constantly several years behind other people. Socially, I suppose.

Things like, in primary school I played playground games for longer than a lot of my classmates. I had no interest in drinking when I was a teenager (and still don't), when other people learnt to drive at seventeen I felt unready and am only just coming around to it aged twenty. I didn't feel ready or the desire to move out on my home aged just eighteen, and still don't. I had no interest in dating and that's something only just starting to come out, although my asexuality may have complicated that.

I've been told I'm a mature person - I have a developed speech that I can adapt easily, I do a professional degree and used to work in a professional environment and in both people commend(ed) me on my attitude and manner, that sort of thing. I just feel I am a lot of years behind my peers in quite a few ways.

I don't really know what I'm hoping to get from this post... I suppose reassurance this is normal, that even beyond teenage years people still develop at different rates, or if not advice on how to change it.

Seriously don't worry about it, basically you're bucking the trend of being a drunken youth. Some people never drink...thats a good things, if you can do it with all the peer pressure etc credit to you. If you don't like going out...everyones different. It is not the case that literally everyone goes out. To be honest I'm so sick of the majority of people succumbing to the whole larger lout fb whore, that its refreshing when someones different.

Intelligence and ability wise, I was ahead of other people by many years throughout school, but in a lot of other ways, I feel like I'm constantly several years behind other people. Socially, I suppose.

Things like, in primary school I played playground games for longer than a lot of my classmates. I had no interest in drinking when I was a teenager (and still don't), when other people learnt to drive at seventeen I felt unready and am only just coming around to it aged twenty. I didn't feel ready or the desire to move out on my home aged just eighteen, and still don't. I had no interest in dating and that's something only just starting to come out, although my asexuality may have complicated that.

I've been told I'm a mature person - I have a developed speech that I can adapt easily, I do a professional degree and used to work in a professional environment and in both people commend(ed) me on my attitude and manner, that sort of thing. I just feel I am a lot of years behind my peers in quite a few ways.

I don't really know what I'm hoping to get from this post... I suppose reassurance this is normal, that even beyond teenage years people still develop at different rates, or if not advice on how to change it.

Company's nice too.

I think there are some things I'll probably never catch up on, like the drinking (because as much as that's part of this, it's also influenced by my alcoholic family) ... but others that I'm just coming round to, I feel a pressure to do now, which sounds similar to you.

How do you deal with that feeling?

I can relate to the "things I'll never catch up on" but they're really quite silly. For example, I always wanted to have a teenage romance when I was younger, say between the ages 11-14, now I'm nearly 16, it's obviously isn't going to happen. I wanted one because you hear a lot of adults talking fondly about the times they spent with their "childhood sweetheart" and I don't know, it just seems like a cool memory to have.

I deal with that feeling by continously telling myself I can't do anything about it now and that there was nothing I could do about it at the time. I couldn't make myself attracted to girls then so how on earth could I get into a relationship with one?

For the things I can still do, well I plan to do them basically. For example, I've never been to a house party, I'm not sure they're my thing but I want to try it at least once. There's nothing stopping me from going to a house party in the future, however right now I have no-one to invite me to one.

Regarding the alcohol, I don't drink for the same reasons as you (alkie family) and I don't plan to. I don't see the problem with not drinking, you can still have fun on a night-out (although you may be deemed the designated driver). But, if you really want to try drinking, what else is stopping you? You can get cheap booze from most supermarkets these days. I'm not advocating getting completely wasted, I'm just trying to show you how easy it is to do so.

I would regard 16 17 and even 18 as a teenage romance, I wouldnt know what to do with a girl at 11 :| haha.

To be honest they really are, as you always have to go somewhere or sneak around, theres no "Wanna come back to my place " lol

I don't expect you to read this all now, but if you can read one or two, it will fulfill it's purpose


Features
People tend to look at alcohol in an acceptable fashion but the fact is that alcohol is a drug albeit a legal drug. It is an addictive drug that people use and abuse every day. People consume alcohol for various reasons, such as to relieve stress, escape from problems or to fit in at social situations. Teenagers may start drinking due to peer pressure. Others drink because they are addicted.
Function
Alcohol increases the risk of various health conditions, such as heart and liver disease. Alcohol works directly on the central nervous system, impairing brain function. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can destroy brain cells, resulting in various degrees of brain damage.
Effects
Alcohol affects the way people behave. For instance, some people become more violent. This can lead to an increase in crime. People experience a decrease in mental alertness when drinking alcohol and may make poor decisions. Alcohol dulls the senses and alters one's perception of situations and surroundings. Alcohol also affects memory.
Considerations
Alcohol often causes people to shed their inhibitions. This can lead to more promiscuous behavior. People may have multiple sex partners, which can lead to an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Women who become pregnant can transmit diseases to their unborn children. Women who drink alcohol when pregnant may have babies born with birth defects due to fetal alcohol syndrome.
Significance
People who drink alcohol and drive risk their own lives and the lives of other people. People who drive under the influence of alcohol are not capable of driving with their full mental and physical faculties intact. Alcohol impairs coordination, motor skills and judgment. A person who has consumed even a small amount of alcohol will have slower reflexes and reaction time than one who has not consumed any alcohol. Many lives are lost each year due to drunk drivers.
Potential
People often suffer physical injuries after consuming too much alcohol. The decrease in coordination and mental alertness can cause staggering, swaying and double vision, which may lead to falls and other injuries. Loss of consciousness can lead to head injuries and other serious conditions. Loss of consciousness due to excessive alcohol consumption may also occur when a person is driving, which ultimately leads to an accident.
Warning
Alcohol can cause problems in a person's family life and work situation. People who suffer from alcoholism may have difficulty retaining a job. Friendships and romantic relationships can suffer due to excessive drinking. Family relationships can become strained. Children of alcoholic parents often suffer from low self-esteem and emotional disorders such as anxiety.