Quarter-Life Crisis

As soon as my 25th birthday was approaching, everyone kept asking about the infamous "Quarter Life Crisis". I think it's just a new thing people are saying because everyone else is saying it, but there is a little bit of a practical thinking behind it. At 25, you go through extreme changes you may or may not have dealt with before. For example, I finished getting my Master's, went to live on my own (no help provided) and had no next job to go to. Things that seemed not too difficult or were clear once upon a time are now a little fuzzy. An example of that is, I have friends who once aimed to be TV actors and then left school with their degree and are now singing a different tune. Now they want to be teachers or Higher Ed staff members.

Quarter-Life Crisis. Hmm... there are so many things that go into that little phrase. The uncertainty of if you've made something of yourself. Or if you should just take what you can get and try making the best of it. As much as I can say, I can't speak for everyone. For myself, I can honestly say that this huge transition has taught me a lot about myself. Not self now, but more so my younger selves. I had a little time to look through my past and say, "Damn, if I only knew what I know now".

1. I wish that when I was getting my Master's and working at the university, I was more involved with the finances and management of my store. Of course a little too late I was coming up with so many ideas and making budgets. If I did this earlier, maybe things would have ended differently or not ended at all.

2. A part of me wishes I could get back all the money I spent during my internship last year. More importantly, I think during my tough times I say, "it all would have been more worth it if I had at least gotten a part time job after". From what I know now, I would have instead used more time and money going to volunteer.

3. I would have saved even more money before I moved into my new apartment. Although I'm not a spender, I was living a pretty cushy financial life before I moved. Why didn't I save more? There was no reason not to.

Those are just a peak into my head. I'm sure you may have some of your own, but I do advise, don't dwell on them. Make the best of the knowledge and apply it to what's to come next. In my case, it's student loans and new opportunities.

Here are 5 phases that scientists have described as components to the Quarter Life Crisis:
Phase 1 – A feeling of being trapped by your life choices. Feeling as though you are living your life on autopilot.
Phase 2 – A rising sense of “I’ve got to get out” and the feeling that you can change your life.
Phase 3 – Quitting the job or relationship or whatever else is making you feel trapped and embarking on a “time out” period where you try out new experiences to find out who you want to be.
Phase 4 – Rebuilding your life.
Phase 5 – Developing new commitments more attuned to your interests and aspirations.

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