Me and My Quarter Life Crisis

Often, the 20s is thought to be the best time of a person’s life. Individuals in this age range are generally in good health, have minimal responsibilities and are able to explore opportunities and take chances in both their professional and private lives.

However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that young adults are not free of the stresses that come later in life. In fact, many people in this stage of life experience periods of uncertainty and anxiety during which they question their goals, plans and even relationships. Professionals have named this occurrence the quarter-life crisis.

Major changes or pressures during the transition from late adolescence to early adulthood and the desire to realize life goals are enough to make me confused. Also the number of choices available that can’t determine which is right.

Some people I know who go beyond my achievements create a feeling of logging that makes anxiety feel in my head. Not ready to accept adult status, the gap between social demands and self-readiness to become adults creates greater pressure.

In the past, I was never worried because I feel safe and enough. Now, I have fear of the future. I’m afraid I can’t graduate on time, I’m afraid I can’t get the job I want, I’m afraid I can’t achieve my life goals.

I think some people are going through the same anxieties as me, but none of us has had the language to articulate this peculiar sense of failure. I appear to have it all. I’m healthy, with a good education, close friends and a loving, family, and yet I feel lost.

When I speak about these insecurities with my parents, they can’t understand why I spend so much time worrying about where I’m in my life, for them my decisions are a means to an end.

I put the phone down and realize the tightness in my chest has loosened a fraction. When I started writing this I felt like I was going mad. My life was good, I was lucky, but sitting at my desk every day all I wanted to do was scream.

In the end, all these worries only occurred to my own mind. I just made up the “what if” scenario from the best to the worst. So I decided to just go through it, because it wasn’t all about the beginning or the end, but the process.

"Sometimes it's important to accept your life for how it is now, even if it's not where you want to be."

Grobogan, 2 July 2020