Am I having a quarter-life crisis? How to determine and what to do next

• If you’re in your mid-20s or early 30s and you feel less than excited or disappointed with your life, you might be experiencing a quarter-life crisis.
• This period is characterized by significant stress and serious soul-searching… but it isn’t all bad—you can utilize this as an opportunity to discover what’s missing from your life.
• Turn lemons into lemonade and spend this time figuring out what you truly enjoy, which area of your life needs some tending to, and what will bring you fulfillment.
• You can do so by following a few simple rules: create the things you want to see in the world; stop trying to please others; listen to your inner voice; try new things; and tap into your resistance.

You were a bridesmaid in three weddings this year alone, planned baby showers for two of your closest friends, and helped your sister pack up her apartment to move across the country for an exciting, new job. You don’t even have a romantic relationship, let alone the prospect of a date; the closest you’ll come to a baby at this point in life is babysitting your nieces and nephews; and the thought of a fulfilling career is about as likely as finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Are You At Odds With Your Life?

Do you feel like you’re falling behind everyone else? Are you disappointed with your life today? If you’re in your mid-20s, confused, and at odds with life, you might be experiencing what is referred to as a quarter-life crisis. This period is characterized by stress and intense soul-searching, occurring in the 20s to early 30s, due to the feeling that you’re not living up to your full potential. Signs you’re going through a quarter-life crisis include:

• You wonder if you’ll ever feel like yourself again.
• You want to know when your lire is going to feel like it’s supposed to.
• A mental picture of yourself doing your boss’s job in 15 years makes you depressed.
• Your expenses are becoming greater than your income, and it’s a serious problem.
• You’ve moved or changed jobs six time in the last four years.
• You’ve had six different significant others in the last four years.
• You’ve had zero relationships in the last four years and you’re concerned.
• You’d pay good money for a moment of clarity.
• You spend way too much money on the Internet.
• You feel less than excited when you get promoted at work.
• You have no clue where to turn for answers.

If this sounds like you, it’s important to know that you’re not alone with these feelings. A recent LinkedIn survey found that 75% of 25-33 year-olds have experienced a quarter-life crisis. Additionally, you should know that going through a quarter-life crisis isn’t all bad.

The Grand Silver Lining

There is good news about your quarter-life crisis. Instead of harping on how your life is “supposed to be,” this is an opportunity to stand back and take a good, hard look at your life. This is the time to figure out what your motivators are, whether it’s writing, teaching, helping others, or building a business.

It can be what you need to take your life to the next level. A major reason so many people end up feeling unfulfilled in their lives is that they have a misunderstanding about what really motivates them. Too many people focus their attention on things like income and status, which may feel great at the moment, but are not what makes them happy in the long run. Those things are not enough for true satisfaction and personal growth. People need to decide what they really love doing, take on responsibilities, and achieve meaningful things. They need to find what inspires them to want to get up in the morning and work in a career that truly makes them happy.

What to Do In the Midst of a Quarter-life Crisis

So, how can you make the most of this quarter-life crisis and turn it into motivation to create a better tomorrow for you and the world around you? Consider the following:

1) Create the things you want to see in the world.
Rather than waiting around for somebody else to do something, step up and try something on your own. Get rid of the excuses about why you’re not the person for the job. If you really want to see something get done, who makes a better candidate than you?

2) Put an end to trying to please others.
Many people create what they think others want, and they try to fulfill those peoples’ needs. When we create only for others, it leaves us feeling empty. And many times, we’re still unable to satisfy them in the end. Focus on yourself and create things you enjoy creating.

3) Listen to your inner voice.
Your life purpose will be what tugs at your heart, and you have to listen to it. Tune into what excites you, and head in that direction. It’s important to note that after years of hearing parents, teachers, and other adults telling you what you should do, the inner voice might sound a little foreign because you haven’t heard it in so long.

4) Try new things.
You might not know the things you like or dislike, although you think you do. This is the opportunity to try things to be able to find out who you are and what you care about.

5) Tap into your resistance.
Do you notice where you feel resistant to take action or have trouble in a certain area of your life? This resistance is the best source to discover where you need to grow or evolve completely.

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