Chose the road less travelled but it feels alone. I want to read characters which are unapologetically mediocre and lead a simple life.

I’m 38 years old and I’m asking myself – is mediocre life worth living?

Few years ago, I experimented with moving to a tier 2 city setup which means career ambitions had to be toned down but I have been able to spend time with friends and family, and cultivate hobbies, and focus on physical/mental health. Since these activities don’t generate tangible benefits (like money), self doubt is a regular visitor to me.

I’m looking to gain some perspective on leading a mediocre but satisfying life. I am exhausted from seeing people achieve big and flaunt on social media. While I’ve been immune to the social media facade so far, the self doubt has recently started to creep in – am I living right?

So I’m turning to books to help me. I want to read stories in which the protagonist doesn’t have fancy big achievements, no tragic back stories, no superpowers, no extraordinary circumstances, just plain human (or plant or animal or anything) going about living life. Is that even possible or am I in denial?