I don’t look down on single folks who never met that right someone and therefore don’t aspire to greater things. That could very well have been me. I dated a lot, but after a few dates that was it, time to move on. I became bored easily. No long term gfs until I met my wife. So I could very well have ended up single my entire life and actually I was starting to think (worry?) that would be the case.
We have several super smart friends in NorCal who did marry and find the right person but still chose not to apply themselves or chose artistic careers that don’t pay. I’ll never understand that, but if it makes them happy so be it. I figure if I’m working hard I might as well be doing something that pays well…