Quarter Life Crisis

Are you in the age group of 20 to 30 and feeling “not good enough” because you couldn’t  find a job that is at your academic level or getting bored with your social interactions? Don’t worry, you are going through that crisis many of us have gone through. Your problem is called Quarter Life Crisis or QLC.

What is Quarter Life Crisis?

It is nothing but a  period of anxiety, uncertainty and inner turmoil that often accompanies the transition to adulthood or a period of life immediately following the major changes of adolescence. Quarter Life Crisis can also be known as Mid-life Crisis.

What aspects of life is affected by Quarter Life Crisis?

Quarter Life or Mid-life Crisis is normally affecting a person emotionally, financially and professionally.

What are the characteristics of Quarter Life Crisis?

• Feeling “not good enough”
• Confusion of Identity
• Bored with social Interactions
• Insecurity regarding near future as well as long term plans
• Financial stress (either repayment of study loans or future cost of living)
• You feel alone, scared and confused
• Unhappy about your job, which is not appropriate to your level of education
• Loneliness due to a breakup with you longtime lover
• Desire to have Children
• Feeling that every one is doing better than you

Expert says:

Many  get into a quarter life crisis because they take the first job offer after college and embark on a series of wrong jobs/careers. Anxiety arise when an adult is faced with a wide range of opportunities in their 20s and are unsure of how to choose from among them. I am one among those who are crossing this great QLC.

I have a feeling that still I am going through this QLC even at the age of late thirties. I wanted to be an accountant but started my career as a teacher and i was very unhappy about my job. I opted this profession due to many reasons and I never been content with my career even though I was successful in my profession. I opted for business as my second career and i can promise you i am pretty happy about this. I have a feeling that my passion is changing and I want to do something with a good interaction with the public. My biggest crisis is decision making about my career.

My neighbor who is in his early 40’s changed his profession 7 times and another one who is in his late 20’s changed his profession 4 times.

How can we overcome the situation?

You should know what kind of life you want and strive for it without getting caught by other opportunities. Realize the fact that our passions may change as we experience more things and grow as a person. Stop judging our standard with others  and develop our own standards and consider changing careers if you are unhappy with what you currently do.