They'll grow up, get married at 24, have an average number of kids, and die wondering why they feel so empty.

This is my mom. It's pretty clear she's unhappy with how her life went. She isn't openly hostile or anything. She's just defeated, and I don't think she knows why.

My advice for anyone who feels unhappy with where they are but also feels like they can't make a move out of the area: go do some non-competative activities. I like running and hiking, and there are probably many others (fishing, skiing, canoeing, camping). Find what works for you and go do it. Talk to others who like to do those things.

Find yourself surrounded by people whose personal vision of success is the local football team winning? Join a running group and do some organized races. While a race may technically be competitive, when there are a thousand runners nobody cares if you were 563rd or 564th. Beyond the first dozen or two fastest runners, it's all about the personal achievement. It's a wonderful feeling.

I suspect there are a lot of activities like this.