If you’re like most people, you couldn’t wait to grow up. Now that you’re adulting, paying the bills, racking up student debt and stressfully navigating today’s economic minefield, you may wish you could take it all back. Are you 25 and want out? You’re not alone. It’s called a quarter-life crisis, and it’s becoming increasingly common among young adults. Fortunately, there’s something you can do about it.
Identify the Reasons for Your Crisis
A quarter-life crisis can leave you feeling frustrated, anxious, stressed and trapped. Feelings of unease and an occasional anxiety attack aren’t unheard of. And through it all, your brain constantly churns, focusing on your dissatisfaction.
This can happen for many reasons, and it can sometimes be difficult to discern what’s at the root of the crisis. Job dissatisfaction is a huge trigger, but so are relationships, health and personal growth. So how can you tell what’s really bothering you? Cosmopolitan recommends making a list of all the components that make up your life, such as health, wealth, personal growth, environment, job, friends, family and the like, and rating them. This can help you identify the areas of your life that you’re dissatisfied with.
Look for Exit Strategies/Solutions
Once you know what’s bothering you, look for a solution or prepare a healthy exit strategy. For example, if you’re unhappy in your relationship, attend a counseling session so the two of you can work through your issues together. If you don’t see a solution for your problem, it might be time to throw in the towel. Working a dead-end job that’s making you miserable? It may not be worth keeping.
The key to making a huge life change without blowing up your life is to do it in a healthy way. Do not be impulsive. Sit with your decision for a while before pulling the trigger and don’t be afraid to talk it over with someone you trust. Make sure you understand all angles of the problem and all possible outcomes of your actions before you make a move.
Chart a Different Course
Once you’ve made up your mind, it’s time to chart a different course and change your life. Again, don’t do anything on an impulse. Make a plan and break it down into actionable steps. Once you’ve created a clear outline of how you’re going to get from point A to point B, it’s time to jump right in. Don’t overthink it, says Shape. Overthinking can zap your motivation and leave you with little desire for shaking things up.
A quarter-life crisis isn’t the end of the world. With a few tweaks, you can get back on track and start enjoying life again. Years from now, you may even look back on your quarter-life crisis as a positive transition period in your life. Not all crises are bad. Many are much-needed lessons.
~Here’s to Your Success!
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