Except, over the past few months they have returned with a vengeance. A very different animal to its middle-aged cousin, mostly because no one aged 26 can afford a vintage Jag and is unlikely to have progressed far enough in their career to have a secretary to shag. The quarter-life crisis, or my experience of it, manifests itself in me wanting to run away; to start again; or bury myself in anything that will distract me from my own reality.
Check, check, check. It seems I am far from alone. Darain Fawaz, a career advisor at LinkedIn, tells me that on average the crisis hits at 26 years and nine months, and lasts 11 months or more. Surprised by the scale of these figures, I posted an Instagram story asking anyone who felt they were experiencing symptoms of a quarter-life crisis to message me. It struck me that all of these people were going through the same anxieties as me, but none of us has had the language to articulate this peculiar sense of failure.
I appear to have it all. As do the people around me. Almost all the people who replied to me had pursued some form of higher education and had gone on to live and search for work in urban areas.
These young people are ambitious, educated and seemingly well adjusted — all the ingredients for a life of privilege. The spectre of 30 is looming. It seems too old to still be living at home, for your card to be declined buying loo roll, to have no interest in a serious relationship. Dr James Arkell is a consultant psychiatrist at the Nightingale Hospital in London, and often treats young people. Arkell says that in his own experience, in the s, when you left university you could afford to get a mortgage and a small flat.
Often, people experience this uncertainty because they feel trapped, uninspired, and disillusioned. At this point, people typically seek out intense relationships with others, and feel lonely and confused when those relationships fail to materialize. Our AI resume builder helps you write a compelling and relevant resume for the jobs you want.
Some common stressors that can lead to a quarter-life crisis include:. Excessive job searching , interviews , or career planning. Often, these issues will cause a quarter-life crisis to rise to the surface and then present in a few phases:.
First, you may feel trapped in some form of commitment, either in your personal or professional life. These feelings of obligation and commitment can be unpleasant and overwhelming, especially if this is your first time experiencing them.
Next, you might experience a feeling of prolonged loneliness due to being separated from past romantic partners, jobs, or social groups. Maybe you just moved to a new place and feel completely alone. Perhaps you need to change your plans and explore new activities, social groups, or career opportunities. Obviously, these phases can be unpleasant and overwhelming. One of the significant problems with quarter-life crises is that the people experiencing them often feel that they have no reason to be struggling.
People have it ingrained in their minds that these years are supposed to be fun and relatively painless. Instead, we should all acknowledge that the quarter-life crisis is very real and affects young people from all walks of life. With that in mind, we can find positive ways to address it. Build a professional resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Feeling aimless. A feeling many entry-level adults experience is one of absolute uncertainty about where to go or what to do or who to be with.
Feeling jealous of your peers. Learn about becoming a professional counselor. Common stressors that can lead to this kind of crisis can include: Job searching or career planning. Living alone for the first time. Navigating relationships. Making long-term personal or professional decisions.
Want to study counseling? Download Brochure. Apply Now. Get Program Details. This will only take a moment. But you keep telling yourself 25 is the new It is. It really is. You're torn between wanting to be a proper grown-up and wanting to be looked after by your parents in a bubble of safety and comfort forever. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies.
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