Thomas Ray

The wave metaphore is a good one.
Most people are going through big changes at eighteen, whether its university or your first job. Its understandable to feel worried about that. Just because things are rough now it doesn't mean they always will be. If one plan or ambition doesn't work out then another one might. The pandemic is making things hard now, but sooner or later society will come to terms with it. it may not be easy but if people couldn't get past crisis our species would've gone extinct long before now.

There was a recession when I was a teenager. Sometimes it seemed it would never end but it did. I was unemployed for a time but I found a good job, even though it took me years.

I really enjoyed your story. It has meaning. Well done.

I enjoyed your story. Well done.

Everything is great as it is. I loved reading it. Well done.

Your comments are kinda hilarious, especially because I know exactly what it's like to cringe at my old writing. It's pretty interesting and satisfying to see that your old stuff isn't THE WORST EVER writing, but that the new is so much better. It's always fun to see how you've improved.
I don't really remember the story, except that I read it, but I'm sure it's worth salvaging/redoing if you're invested in it.

This was enjoyable to read. I will read both versions of your story. Well written.