We always hear about mid-life crisis when older people start acting rather strange, whether it be dying their hair pink, start dressing like 25-year-old’s. According to Psychology Today, a quarter-life crisis is a period of uncertainty, stress, and introspection that many young people go through as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. Transitions can be stressful. A quarter-life crisis is not uncommon in people in their twenties or thirties. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with the intense emotions that accompany this period of uncertainty.
Summit Pathways explains it as follows: A typical quarter-life crisis sufferer is highly motivated and intelligent. However, transitional periods can result in a prolonged state of limbo, resulting in uncertainty, emotional pain, and questioning. Whatever triggered your quarter-life crisis, you’re likely to go through four stages:
Feeling suffocated: You may feel trapped or uncertain about your options when it comes to a job, a lease, or a relationship.
Separation: Many people experiencing a quarter-life crisis leave their jobs, social groups, or romantic partners and experience loneliness.
Reflection: The following stage is a period of reflection, recalibration, and soul-searching as they try to figure out what they truly want.
Understanding: As the crisis draws to a close, most people emerge with a better understanding, increased motivation, and a more optimistic outlook for the future.
A quarter-life crisis is far more common than most people realize. Here are a few signs that you may be going through this:
- You lack direction in your career, relationships, or overall life purpose.
- You have difficulty making decisions.
- You’re trying to figure out what’s missing.
- You’re unmotivated.
- You suffer from fatigue, stress, anxiety, or depression.
- You sense a conflict between pursuing your dreams and settling down.
- You are concerned that your peers have everything figured out.
- You are concerned about being left behind.
Also see: Daily activities that may increase your happy hormones
