Q. Hi, I’m 26 years old and have been working for the past six years. I’m going through a tough time in my life where I suddenly feel lost, as if I don’t have a direction or established path for my career or personal life anymore. This can’t be a mid-life crisis, as I’m only in my mid-twenties. Please help! – Maisa A. A. Hi Maisa! What you’re experiencing is very normal. It’s called a ‘quarter-life crisis’ and is unfortunately quite common among the younger generation. Quarter-life crises don’t happen literally a quarter of the way through your life. They occur a quarter of your way through adulthood, in the period between 25 and 35, although they cluster around 30. This phase is characterized by feeling scared, unsure, lonely, or confused about what steps to take in order to transition properly into adulthood. Studies have shown that unemployment and choosing a career path is a major cause for young persons to undergo stress or anxiety. Early stages of one living on their own for the first time and learning to cope without parental help can also induce feelings of isolation and loneliness. This may sound like bad news but research indicates that quarter-life crises can be a positive experience and can prove to be a catalyst to change. Below are four questions from the career experts at Bayt.com to ask yourself in order to help you navigate through this phase of your life: 1. Does your job make you happy? Being in a job that is unfulfilling or is too stressful can take a toll on your mental health and happiness. If you do feel stuck in your current job, but are too comfortable to make a drastic change then you can start by making small changes. Make a list of things you enjoy doing and start doing them. If you have a passion for photography, or are particularly good at creative writing then you can ask your manager to involve you on projects where you can unleash your creativity, for example writing for the company’s blog or contributing to the corporate newsletter. You can also choose to do some freelance work on the side, or volunteer, or take up additional training courses in your areas of interest. The point is to start doing what you love. Engaging in work that is meaningful to you is one contributing factor to your feeling of accomplishment and happiness. 2. Do you regularly connect with your family and friends? Your group of close friends and family make up your support group. Your support group is your safety net against life’s difficulties and challenges. 52% of professionals in the MENA say they are extremely satisfied with the current relationship they have with their family, according to the Bayt.com ‘Happiness and Wellbeing in the MENA‘ survey, July 2013. If you want to survive your quarter-life crisis, you need to surround yourself with positive people who can give you support and advice. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can make it difficult to catch up with your close friends frequently, but it’s a good idea to reconnect every now and then. 3. Do you exercise regularly? As unrelated as this may seem, having a regular exercise regime can greatly contribute to your overall mental health and physical wellbeing. Eight in 10 professionals in the region manage to squeeze in some exercise on an occasional to frequent basis, as per the Bayt.com ‘MENA Professionals Health and Eating Habits’ poll , March 2012. This poll also lists walking as the most frequent form of exercise, favored by 49% of professionals in the region. 4. Do you give yourself enough ‘me’ time? ‘Me’ time is time that you spend with yourself. It is time that is not bound by deadlines or commitments to anyone. Dedicate a weekend just for yourself. But don’t pressurize yourself by planning a hectic day by shuttling to a spa, followed by shopping and a movie. It’s important to take it easy. You could just spend a relaxed day at home and discover the joy of doing absolutely nothing. The idea is to slow down. If you feel brave enough you can also plan to go on your next vacation solo. Experiencing your quarter-life crisis is not a bad thing at all. This phase will help you reconsider your choices, past fears, and limiting beliefs. Hopefully these questions will direct you towards better self-awareness, and help you navigate through this phase where you would find yourself stronger and transformed by the experience at the other end of the tunnel! Did you find this post helpful? Share it with your friends and tell us what you think in the comments section below.
