Alternatively: you are having quality life experiences, do good by your friends, and engage with your community. You don't need to compare yourself to historical overachievers.

I have to remind myself of this constantly, because our culture won't.

And what was he doing for decades PRIOR to that which possibly gave him the experience and skills........

He was already a university professor and fought in WWI, tho...

He spent 20 years worldbuilding and wrote Hobbit before it.