Does it Even Really Exist?
My fiancee just quit her job as a salesperson for a creative arts firm to - wait for it - start serving at a restaurant - wait for it again, it gets better - and go back to school full time - oh, even better I tell you - to become a full-time artist. A FULL TIME ARTIST??? Please remember, this wonderful woman started her post-college career working as a financial planner for a well established bank. Well, after I woke up from the shock, she calmly explained that this line of decision-making stems from her quarter-life crisis.
Are you serious? Does one even exist? Her father might be having his mid-life crisis; he just bought a 1970's Pinzgauer (aka a Swiss Army Jeep on steroids.) What in the world have I gotten myself into? If this is going on before we hit 25, what is going to happen when we hit 50? Will she take off to travel the earth barefoot and become a dirty hippy? Or even worse, will she become vegan?
But apparantly it does exist. John Mayer even mentions it in one of his songs. Geez.
Doctor, Doctor, Give me the News
Some Symptoms of a Quarter Life Crisis
- feeling "not good enough" because one can't find a job that is at one's academic/intellectual level
- frustration with relationships, the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
- confusion of identity
- insecurity regarding the near future
- insecurity regarding present accomplishments
- disappointment with one's job
- nostalgia for university, college, or high school life
- financially-rooted stress
- loneliness
- a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you
Beach Reading
Some Self-Help Books for You or a Loved One
What to Do When You're Twenty-Two: A Survival Guide for the Quarter-Life Crisis
Amazon Price: (as of 10/07/2008)
What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up?: Starting the Next Chapter of Your Life
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
101 Things to Do When You Hate Your Job
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Quarter Life Crisis Essentials
Or Maybe Great Stuff for Slackers
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Finally! A Solution.
Help Cure your Loved One
Unfortunately, most websites even mentioning the QLC don't recommend giving your loved one a slap upside the head. Instead, they recommend that the person suffering from such an episode take a good long look at their true situation. Is their job really that bad? Have all of their friends really changed? Perhaps your loved one really does need to get a new job, and perhaps all of your drinking buddies did turn out to be people you don't want to associate with.Nevertheless, start moving forward. Begin by establishing goals for yourself. Your possibilities are endless. The only thing getting in between your loved one and his happiness is himself. Now is the time to be out meeting new people, to be establishing an identity. Just remember, every day is the first day of the rest of your life.
And just as a note: if your loved one is experiencing serious depression, please seek the help of a professional.
Just remember, this stage in life will pass. You are only young once, but you can be immature forever.
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Reader Feedback
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Dr_Joe
Very informative. Posted July 23, 2008 |
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SusanVillasLewis
Not sure it was a real crisis, but I remember going through a real life re-evaluation as I approached 25. Didn't make quite as radical a change as your girl, but it was kind of a "is this really how I want to spend the rest of my life" moment. So I guess it does exist. Posted March 01, 2008 |
