Dealing With A Quarter-Life Crisis

 Here in America, we like things fast.  Every day we indulge in fast food, drive ourselves to work in fast cars, use cell phones that can connect us to anyone in the world in minutes -- we even try to find the quickest way to complete every task in front of us, no matter how simple.   You know how it is:  On any average week day, you rush from your Politics class to your internship in record time. Then --ohmigod! -- you're already ten minutes late for your uber-important sorority meeting. You can barely find a moment to grab something semi-healthy in the dining hall or write that last paragraph for your English essay, let alone take time to appreciate this amazing life you're living.  Whew – take a breath, girl. 

So what's wrong with living in such a fast-paced world?  People are living longer bur they are also maturing mentally tons faster than in the past.  A sixteen-year old today is exposed to an excess of adult scenarios and information, from half-naked girls on MTV's Spring Break to house parties full of booze, pills and again, half-naked girls.  All this stuff is forcing them to grow up -- fast.  And the fact that sixteen-year olds are in situations that only adults had to deal with before has led to the discovery of a new phenom, the quarter-life crisis. 

Mental health professionals blame this "crisis" on several factors.  It usually hits right after college, when the whole world is being thrown at you and your life could go a multititude of different directions.  Do you take that job at the boutique just because it will pay the bills, or do you keep searching until you find a job that matches your education ('cause, you know, you did just spend four years in college to get a degree to do something you like!)?  And are you seriously the only person left on the planet who isn't engaged, planning to get married or even in a serious relationship?  What about having – gasp! – kids?  You don't even wanna go there. 

And, you know, sometimes you really do miss hanging out at the student center with your friends and, oh, what you'd give to go to one more "anything-but-clothes" party.  But the pressure is all around you, every day, to figure out "who you are" and, quintessentially, what you want to do with the rest of your life.

Obviously, these insecurities are present at any age. In high school you wanted to be the prettiest girl sporting the newest trends and it was essential to your existence to have a boyfriend on your arm at all times.  In college, you worried about finishing your papers on time.  You had to be the best, fit in with the kids who got invited to the right parties and events, and of course, having a boy on your arm never hurt, either.

In both high school and college, you could track your progress, year-by-year.  But after college, not everyone is the same age or in the same stage in life, making these insecurities rise to the surface and slap you right in your face.  You might get a job at a dream company, but find yourself serving coffee to your bosses for the better part of three years.  You might start to realize that getting wasted and hooking up really aren't the coolest, or most rewarding, things to do on a Saturday night.  But you're still not financially stable and you're still living in your parent's basement.  You're completely torn between two worlds.  Suddenly, life slows down, and you are still stuck in high-gear.

The solution?  It's hard to say if there is a miracle cure for the quarter-life crisis.  Professionals and non-professionals alike suggest several courses of action.  Take time to consider your options and discover your passions.  Set goals for the future, but don't make them unrealistic.  Start with small, achievable goals as not to put too much pressure on yourself.  Visualize your future.  If you're unhappy in a situation, change it (even if that means pursuing a field outside of your degree).  Think of success in different ways -- money isn't the only way to achieve happiness and success. 

Hard times face us at any age and in any stage of life.  But what can be said is that if you're feeling the quarter-life jitters, you are not alone.  And remember, as long as you're happy, nothing else really matters.

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