"I tried telling myself that it's a childish and idealistic way of thinking and that it's all a part of career progression regardless of where you work at..."

"I tried telling myself that it's a childish and idealistic way of thinking and that it's all a part of career progression regardless of where you work at..." It's most definitely not! Many seem to think it is, because of perceived status ("how are you still a developer in your 40s?!"). Be whatever you want to be, not what your current boss wants you to be.