It seems, with the passing of years and constant evaluation and evolution in my thinking, the answer comes back a yin and yang.
Too much of a good thing becomes bad somehow. Too much bad produces good that would not happen otherwise.
Our generation was told that we were not special, we are not experts in anything, shut up, nobody cares, work harder. As good as that is for resiliency and work ethic developing from discipline, it had aweful consequences when it came to exceptions to that rule. Blame, guilt, the lies we tell ourselves to cope in order to keep working harder.
With obesity as a result of lifestyle and too many bad decisions and habits in a row, it is that guilt and discomfort which fuels a painful change in lifestyle that can correct that issue. Lets stop shaming and allow people to be happy where they are sp they can inspire themselves to improve from a good place. The yang of that can be entitlement for comfort, celebration of obesity, misery in company pretending not to be miserable and a comfortable banner under which to seek shelter instead of change.
To me it comes down to adulting. It is what it is so what am i going to do about it? I can choose to feel bad or i can mentally then physically grind out a solution. I can classify it all i want and justify it so that i am not blaming myself, (which can be good) but it will turn bad if it isnt followed by addressing the issue and spending time correcting it. Not always the case but I am working on it for myself.
It is that kind of exceptional that is missing from this universal exceptionality and misery loves company.
Homie dont play that.
Finns have this issue, where they cut down the tall poppies who are successful, or aspire to be.
"misery in company" is a good way to sum up a lot of lives at the moment.
One of my colleagues asked me the other day what I think was necessary for a good life, and I said that it was high quality relationships. Strong relationships are rare in younger generations now.