Even though I doubt that, contributing to society is an overrated concept anyways.
The worst, most swept-under-the-rug issue with society is the idea that you’re REQUIRED to take part in it order to be ”worth” anything.
The world’s gigantic, and you only get one shot. Before even considering ”contributing” to society, the single most important part of your life is you. Make the best of it, focus on the things you find joy in. Never conform if it makes you miserable.
I consider myself an optimist, but I too have extreme anxiety issues, and coupled with gastrointestinal issues and it creates a vicious cycle of self doubt that leads to physical pain that leads to mental pain. The past few years post-covid I became much more of a hermit than I already was because, frankly, the world is too fast and loud for me. But while becoming reclusive, I made a concentrated effort on focusing my attention my on, and surrounding myself with, things that I find joy in. It doesn’t work 100% (and it’s probably good that it doesn’t) but I found that it’s much better than not doing it, because before I was miserable all the time. I woke up every single morning feeling like I was going to puke and my stomach and throat were in knots. It wasn’t me, it was the world that made me feel like that.
Suffering is subjective, and everyone suffers differently, but that doesn’t make one person’s hardships less or more important than another’s. The most important part is finding your own mental garden and tending to it your own way. It might take time and people might not get it, but it’s worth it in the end because you’re doing it for your own sake.
You’re the protagonist in your life. It’s not selfish to focusing efforts to make your life feel better. It’s healthy and just.
This turned into a longer post than I anticipated, so sorry if it looks rambling.