Sometimes, young adults in their mid-20s to early 30s are known to have “quarter-life crises,” which are marked by feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and discontentment about a variety of elements of life, including relationships, careers, and personal identities. The experience differs from person to person. It’s challenging to define a quarter-life crisis precisely because it ranges from person to person and might occur at various stages of young adulthood. There is no one-size-fits-all diagnosis or universal “symptoms.” However, one thing is for sure: if you think you’re experiencing a crisis, you most likely are.
While it may feel suffocating to experience such a crisis, it can be labeled as a process. A process that might lead to a clearer path in the future. In this process you start reflecting on your actions and your reactions to past experiences which, in turn, leads to growth and reacting in a different way in a similar situation. You create a road map or an action plan for the future once you find the clarity of what you don’t want in life.
Finding a solution and rushing into a conclusion can be overpowering for your emotions which may affect your mental health. When you feel helpless you can always seek guidance from a therapist or have a good in-depth conversation with your closest, trusted confidants. It is not necessary that you seek a solution or even find one, but when you talk through your issues, you allow yourself to feel supported and validated, and sometimes, you find the solution yourself while processing these thoughts.
Discovering a proper union between life goals and career goals can be a great way to escape the crisis, but it doesn’t always happen swiftly. Finding new ways to enjoy life and picking up new hobbies to divert your mind, along with creativity, can be an impactful means to find normalcy in a new way. It can be surprising at times to identify new things in which you excel and discover a sense of achievement and joy that they bring to your life.
Practicing mindfulness is very helpful as you process your thoughts and try to find peace. Getting deep into your emotions and not pushing them away is a small gateway towards a brighter future. Keep track of your personal growth and continue with that process of discovery until you reach the point where you always imagined yourself to be.