So you’ve been out of college for a while now.
You’re 25 years old, you’ve got a steady job that doesn’t pay much but it pays the
bills.
Your social life is kind of non existent except for the 30 minute lunch break where you listen
to your co-worker complaining nonstop about your boss.
You meet up with your old friends once a month if you’re lucky but all you talk about is
how whack high school was.
Your nightly ritual consists of you stalking everyone on Facebook and OMG IS THAT SUASAN?
WHEN DID SHE GET MARRIED AND HAVE KIDS?
There’s something that happens at the age of 25 or so called the quarter life crisis.
It’s characterized by anxiety, self doubt, and mild sadness about your life situation.
Age doesn’t matter too much actually but it happens around this time.
It happens when you’re done with school, or inversely you’re in grad school and find
out you’re not passionate about what you’re studying anymore.
Let’s take that a step further and maybe you’re confused at this passion thing.
Are people supposed to have passions?
You also feel the need to succeed in relationships, finances, and your career before hitting 30.
I think a lot of these feelings and self doubt come from a lack of normalcy and routine.
Back in November of 2015, I did a video on the “emerging adult”.
This period usually affects 18-25 year olds in first world countries who are starting
their journey into adulthood, finding a job, moving several times, getting further education,
and ultimately finding out who you are with limited guidance from your parents.
Such a time is chaotic and if you still are in this chaotic stage in your life at 25 or
still have no idea what you’re passionate about, you may feel like you’re having a
quarter life crisis especially when you see your friends on social media have things together.
I’m sure you’d love to hear me say that the quarter life crisis is completely normal
and that everyone feels it.
Truth be told, some people do and some people don’t.
Though mentioned in hundreds of blogs and expressed by some of your closest friends
(I’m sure), Some studies have actually found no evidence for the quarter life crisis.
I personally, don’t think the quarter life crisis was something I went through.
In fact, I’m more confident of my goals now than I was when I was 21.
It’s not to say that I don’t have problems…because student loans, but I wouldn’t say I feel
like I ever went through a quarter life crisis.
The quarter life crisis is likely to affect people who want to succeed conventionally,
are idealistic about life, and plan their achievements by date.
If you’re experiencing this don’t fret, I think there are several things that can
get you out of this rut.
Passion is actually hard to find for some people.
I found out I was intrinsically motivated by making videos ever since the 4th grade
when my mom bought me a mini-Dv video camera.
If my mom never bought me that, would I never be passionate about making videos?
Or would it somehow find it’s way back to me and I’d do something like start making
videos with my phone?
I’m lucky because I knew this since the 4th grade.
I remember asking my friend what she’s passionate about and she said I don’t know.
Though that answer was strange for me, it’s the reality that some people have.
I think the best way to find your passion is to do as many things as possible.
Do stuff until you find something that consumes you or do things and find out you don’t
like them and move on.
The last piece of advice I can give you is to stop comparing yourself to others.
Though comparison can be turned into an internal competition that motivates you, sometimes
what it can do is bring you down.
Realize that everyone was dealt different hands therefore no one is on the same path.
Stick to your goals and do the best you can.
At the end of the day 25 is a great age
to be.