Navigating the Quarter Life Crisis

The Quarter Life Crisis is real and if you’re in your 20’s, it’s probably happening to you now. This crisis hit me at the peak of this winter; I said to myself, “What am I really doing with my life?” This irritating question’s need for a thoughtful answer has shook me to the core for the past three months. I’ve been constantly questioning my life’s work and motivation leading to this point in time. I’ve started to realize that this question doesn’t pose a threat; it’s reminded me that I am young and everything I’ve done up to this point has shaped the model for my ideal self.

The hardest compromise when entering adulthood is whether you’re on a path for success or being happy with life (although, both are possible). I entered college with the intention of studying Film, but got cold feet when someone asked me “what are you going to do with that degree?” I chose Professional/Technical Communications because I could write decently and the job market was in demand. Three years went by until I started losing my mind and the desire to write the simplest memo I’ve done many times over. Choosing your potential life’s work by playing it safe is not a fair compromise; taking time to think about your desire for learning and where your heart is will more than likely open up opportunities wouldn’t think of.

You’ve got a taste of what real work is like; balancing course work and attending class with your employment and social life. The exhaustion of real-life is never forewarned to high schoolers: you experience that firsthand. College is the option many kids choose when they don’t know what they want to do; and many people learn to adapt to a productive living as a way of understanding what is important to them and what isn’t important to them. Many others choose to find 9-5 jobs when they either don’t want to go to school or are unsure of what they’d want to study. When you work hard at something, it’s never a waste of time.

The freedom of adulthood that is now at your disposal is a true test of will. I was told that your 20’s are your prime and I took that to heart; I’ve done four years of college while holding more than four jobs (sometimes all at once) and pursued many interests in the process. You should do as many things as you can, pursue interests and burn yourself out because that energy will pass right before your eyes. The Quarter Life Crisis is about stretching your limitations in search of your ideal self.