We have all heard of / read about mid-life crisis – a transition of identity and self-confidence that can occur in middle aged individuals. However, we don’t really give much thought to a similar issue that concerns people in their 20s and 30s – Quarter-life Crisis.
A quarter-life crisis is when individuals in their 20s or 30s find themselves in situations of uncertainties and anxieties – be it related to career choices, debts, independent living, or relationships. According to a research published by The Guardian, way back in 2011, quarter-life crises affect 86% millennials, who have reported feeling bogged down by insecurities, disappointments, loneliness and depression. While traditionally these issues might have seemed trivial or something all young adults have grappled with for years, today these issues seem more real and ones that cannot be ignored.
One might wonder what has changed from young adults wondering if they will experience a quarter-life crisis to when will they experience a quarter-life crisis. Why has quarter-life become such a phenomenon? In today’s fast paced world of ‘perform or perish’, young adults are under constant pressure to prove themselves – either to their parents, peers, bosses or even their own selves. This is a time when people are the most social and are constantly striving to “fit in”, however, the society we are currently in, is wrestling with several inequities, especially with individuals becoming more and more excluded and isolated. When individuals are faced with such a situation so early on in their lives, a crisis is inevitable.
While there are several articles about the downside of quarter-life crisis, I want to discuss the upside. As opposed to mid-life crises, a person is confronted with a quarter-life crisis much earlier on in life. While a mid-life crisis can turn a person’s life into a whole new direction or threaten a person’s identity, a quarter-life crisis can in fact help a person decide on a new direction, that may in turn open up more or better avenues. As human beings climb up the societal or career ladder, their position takes precedence over anything else. On the other hand, individuals in their 20s or 30s don’t have much to lose since they are just starting out.
People fear making mistakes – at any age, and this is only natural. However, there is another way of looking at the consequence of making mistakes. If one doesn’t make mistakes, they won’t learn. And making a mistake early on in life and learning and growing from it will ensure better judgement later on, which can go a long way in shaping a person’s identity and individuality. This leads on to another interesting upside of a quarter-life crisis, that is, it teaches a person to be more patient with themselves. Realising one’s mistake and understanding the importance of growing out of it takes time and this tests a person’s tolerance and willingness to change or improve.
While it is never too early or too late to introduce changes in life, it is always a good idea to make changes when young to ensure happiness and satisfaction in the long run. At an age when there is no burden of responsibilities, it is much easier to let go of things in exchange of something better. This is also a time that allows people to dabble in several different things to understand their real areas of interest and expertise. By doing something one doesn’t like or finds difficult, they are in fact trying to understand out what they can or like to do.
Parents and society play an influencing role in shaping a person’s identity. As a result, a person in their 20s has grown up to act on other people’s expectations, all stemming from their own personal experiences. However, when faced with making their own decisions, they have to rely on their own instincts and priorities. Going through a turmoil at this stage can help the person re-evaluate their priorities, which could open up more opportunities.
Given the parental support and guidance received when growing up, the sudden entry into the “big bad” world can be frightening for many. However, it is just a rite of passage and everyone goes through it. How one confronts it is what matters. In a nutshell, a quarter-life crisis is all about how a person shifts into the society and through a mid-life crisis a person shifts out of society to become their own person. While at one point nothing might seem to go right, this time is helping shape an individual and bracing them for the future.
