Many of us grow up with a particular idea of how we would like our lives to turn out. For some, this may be a nine-to-five job with a corner office while for others it's wearing rubber boots, gloves and casting a net into the ocean. Due to our different personalities, your ideal life may not be the same as the next guy’s. If you are already living your perfect life, then you should consider yourself one of the lucky few. Due to these expectations, many young people are experiencing a phenomenon known as the quarter-life crisis.
In psychology, the quarter-life crisis is described as the feeling of anxiety over the direction and quality of life and is experienced by persons from their twenties to mid-thirties though it can start as early as from eighteen years. This is a time when one feels disappointment, insecurity, and doubt about relationships, career, and finances.
Quarter life crisis is brought about when one is hit by the reality of life. This is because their initial expectations of how life will turn out appear to become impossible to achieve and one is caught in a rut. If you find yourself in this category, here are four things you can do to get over it.
1) GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Nothing defeats the feeling of being stuck in a rut more than finding a purpose. Purpose refers to a personal sense of resolve or determination. This can be something that gives your life meaning or fulfillment such as working at an animal rescue or a rescue shelter for the homeless. This will provide you with a sense of pride and a chance to see how your input can benefit others.
2) DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL
Sometimes, a person is caught up in the quarter-life crisis because they are unable to discover who they really are. This state of confusion causes one to be unable to see their worth. One of the ways to realize your full potential is to discover your strengths. Strengths finder tools like HIGH5 help analyzing your personality to determine what your most unique abilities are. This will build your confidence and help you know how best to plan for your career path.
3) SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
As John Donne famously said, “no man is an island”. We all need people. This cannot be emphasized more when a person is going through the quarter-life crisis. This is because when surrounded by the right people, a person can find a safety net where they can share their distress and be able to obtain useful insight. At most, having a listening ear can help to relieve the stress that comes with confusing emotions of the quarter-life crisis.
4) FIND PEACE WITHIN YOURSELF
One of the reasons many fall into the trap of the quarter-life crisis is because a person finds that there is so much they would like to achieve that they have not yet completed. This could be in terms of career path, relationships or finances. This may be caused by pressure from family or friends or continually comparing yourself to others. To overcome this, one must choose to block out negative comments. It is also important to set smart goals for yourself that are specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant and time-bound. But in case a goal is not achieved within the time you hoped it would be sure to give yourself a break. Take a cup of coffee as you slowly re-strategize on your next move.
CONCLUSION
Quarter life crisis is a grave issue that needs to be openly discussed and dealt with. It is nothing to be ashamed of or to be kept hidden as one suffers in silence. If you or someone you know is going through this be sure to take the necessary steps to have it dealt with as soon as possible. Remember, life is never that serious!
