Is there such a thing as a wasted life?

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The term waste implies a moral judgment that is inappropriately applied as imposing a value to a persons efforts. Each person is an individual who reponds to the challenges of their life with the collective strengths they possess. Some people would say I am a success because; I am an autistic man who has successfully built a career that rewards me with a 6 figure income. Some would call me a failure because; socially I live alone, I have no wife, no children of my own, bad relations with my family, I'm a misanthrope, I am easily confused by social and other situations and best of all some people say my life is a waste because I am unable to drive.

The definition of a wasted life is solely dependent on the perspective, empathy and insights of the person making the judgment. The true definition of what qualifies as a wasted life must be the individual living their life for no one else is uniquely qualified to determine if you wasted your life. The best indicator of a wasted life is embodied by your answer to this question. We all the challenges you face, all the things you know and all the abilities you possess DID YOU DO THE VERY BEST YOU COULD WITH WHAT YOU HAD AT THE TIME OF THE ASSESSMENT? If yes you did not waste your life. If no you did waste your life. My question is born of my autism inspired black and white thinking which at time is a boon to my comprehension of the world and its human realities.

^^^^^^^ QFT

I feel like I've wasted a good portion of my life.

Sometimes, I regret it; other times, I use this notion of "waste" to propel me to greater heights in the future.

"waste" is a term you apply to resources. and resources are means to an end. so what parts of your life have been wasted or not depends strictly on what your goals are. and if you're content with your life as it is, then no part of your life has been wasted, because it all led you to the point where you are. and contentment itself can be a goal without any other concrete achievements. and then it's a matter of maintaining it rather than achieving it. and then nothing has been wasted

Don't forget: you can "waste" time, too.

This is merely the concrete meaning extended into the abstract.

waste is a terrible thing to mind.

Yeah.....I do mind the smell of Waste!

And I mind the fact that I've wasted my time in life.

others would look at my life as a total waste of time, but it was the best I could do, in this lifetime.

If a person spends thier life high on drugs thier life is "wasted".

You are welcome.

Despite how I appear on here, I'm actually very polite and friendly IRL. I always say my please and thank yous. I show gratefulness if someone else helps me out. If my mum's partner starts talking loudly about what a terrible place like Mc Donalds is in front of the staff, I tell him to shut up. If I ever order pizza, which is rare these days, I sometimes give them a big tip, it *really* makes their day. Sometimes if you keep talking to a really bored looking staff member in a shop and just keep asking them about themselves, that can really make their day too. Or helping someone out who is obviously struggling with a train ticket machine or something, I met a really interesting woman once doing that who made jewellry for the Icelandic president's wife at the time. Just giving someone a genuine smile can cheer them up too.

I try to chat up people who seem bereft of some lightness in their present situation. sometimes they tolerate me. I know that it would be better if I had less clumsiness in my expression.

^ You try your best and have a good heart, that's what matters.