Millennials – What Does It Really Mean To Have A Quarter-Life Crisis? And What To Do?
Many people experience a "quarter-life crisis." Luckily, it can be a motivation to make a positive switch to reinvigorate your career.
I was at the end of my 20s and beginning of my 30s. Everything in my life seemed upside down. I was having a “ good and successful” career on paper, but my corporate job was no longer exciting me, my tasks were mundane and I was drained at the end of the day.
That’s what happened to me. There was actually nothing wrong with my dream of wanting to work in a big corporation and climbing up the corporate ladder. I had a strong academic background and I assumed making lots of money and having a cool, exciting job would automatically lead to happiness. It never occurred to me that happiness comes from the work you do, the people you surround yourself with and most importantly, how you feel about yourself. The problem was I didn’t enjoy the actual work, nor did I like the management and I didn’t like the person I had become.
I started asking myself, do I really have the success that I thought I would have? Am I actually creating an impact on the world? Am I happy?
The point is, if you’re consumed by questioning the direction of your career, relationships, and overall life purpose—don’t worry. It’s actually more normal than not.
A quarter-life crisis is a period of intense soul searching and stress occurring in your mid 20s to early 30s. The typical sufferer is “highly driven and smart, but struggling because they feel they’re not achieving their potential or feeling they’re falling behind,” says Nathan Gehlert, Ph.D., a Washington D.C. psychologist.
A quarter-life crisis comes about when you’re faced with the reality that your life is not what you thought it was going to be. It’s an emotional crisis of identity and self-confidence. You’re faced with the feeling that maybe you’re not being true to who you are, but you’re not quite sure who you’re supposed to be, either.
If you’re going through a quarter-life crisis, you know it all too well. But no need to panic. While it may feel stressful and overwhelming in the moment, a crisis is the perfect time to re-evaluate your life and start making better choices.
According to The Guardian, the quarter-life crisis affects 86% of millennials, who report being bogged down by insecurities, disappointments, loneliness, and depression. Millennials, it’s less of a question of if you will experience a quarter-life crisis than it is a question of when.
So I did some soul searching, and I set out on a quest that taught me quite a few things about myself personally and professionally. Frequently in a state of self-reflection, I asked myself the following questions that I think will be valuable for you.
5 QUESTIONS THAT WILL GET YOU OUT OF A CAREER SLUMP (AND QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS)
1. What Makes You Happy? What Doesn't?
People, places, things. I made lists and described why and how they made me happy, and why I was so blessed to have them in my life. The expressions of gratitude were extremely beneficial and important . I realized I was in a much better position than I realized. Likewise, I questioned why I did the things in my life that were not contributing to my happiness and well-being, and removed them immediately.
2. What Are You Really Good At? What Do You Have A Natural Talent For?
I love to help people, train and mentor them. So what are you good at? What do you like to do as a hobby? Have you ever considered trying it as a vocation, or can skills from another venture help you grow in your current role? Write it all down—even the so-called "silly" stuff.
3. How Can You Actually Earn Income From Your Talent?
See above and connect the dots. Freelance work is becoming more and more in demand, and there are tons of ways you can market your skills to make some side cash—maybe eventually turning it into your full-time job. Pro bono work is also an excellent way to gain additional experience until you're comfortable asking for what you're worth—and can help you earn recommendations in the meantime.
4. What Are Your Biggest Dream(s)?
No boundaries.
Have you ever dreamed about winning the lottery, and exactly what you'd do with the 20—no—50 million dollar prize? Use the same approach with your personal and professional goals. The catch? With effort and motivation, this one can actually come true. The key is to pick your biggest goal and put an action plan into place to make it happen.
5. What's Stopping You From Achieving It?
This step requires a lot of ownership. You will have to face any fears you might have about failing and recognize that it takes a lot of accountability. Any goal, no matter how large and looming, can be divided into smaller, doable tasks that set you on the path to achieving success.
HOW THESE QUESTIONS ACTUALLY HELP YOU?
These questions were my road map for digging myself out of the dark and out of confusion I had fallen into during my mid-career crisis. The questions were relatively simple, and sometimes that's the interesting thing about these slumps or perceived setbacks. Sometimes life is just waiting for us to open our eyes and realize things for ourselves—we just need to use our common sense.
Focusing on yourself and taking the time to consider what you really want will cause you to take the positive actions needed to change your life. I quit a toxic job that was making me miserable, I ‘ve signed up for a business mentor to continue my education, and most of all, founded my own company that I absolutely love—and I'm nowhere near finished. I set new goals regularly and have no intention of slowing down.
Needless to say, I'm expecting (hoping) to be better prepared for when 45 rolls around.
Not everyone fits into a perfectly square box. In fact, some of the most interesting people don't. Don't worry if you don't fit the "norm," be it your age or your career path. Focus on what makes you truly happy—and work backwards to forge your path to fulfillment.
About the Author
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