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You’ve heard of a mid-life crisis, but what is a quarter-life crisis and how do you combat it?

Everyone has heard of a mid-life crisis. When this hits people do things like buy expensive sports cars or go on extravagant vacations. One thing you might not have heard of is a quarter-life crisis. What is a quarter-life crisis? It is a time in your life around twenty-five years old when you feel trapped, anxious, and directionless. How do you overcome this? Here are three tips.

Get Out of Town

If you’re feeling trapped in life, one of the best ways to get over that is to move. At this point in your life if you aren’t married you are accountable to nearly no one. You have many open doors in front of you. Take advantage of your mobility while you have it. Go to where opportunities are and don’t get stuck in a directionless place. This might mean going somewhere for a new job or maybe just traveling whenever you can. There is so much to see and do out in the world so there is no excuse to be stuck in one place, especially if you are constantly feeling unsettled.

You’re Not as Young as You Used to Be

At this point in your life, you no longer have unlimited potential. Who you are as a person has been in many ways firmly established. You know what you are good at, bad at, like, and dislike. Sure, there is always potential for change, but you should focus your motivation on things that you already know work for you. Figure out what it is that you want with your life and go after it. Start by assessing your strengths and weaknesses and set goals. Make sure that your goals are practical and achievable. Once you have those goals in mind, go after them.

Meet the Universe Halfway

No one will serve you your goals and achievements on a silver platter. You have work for them. However, keep in mind that you won’t always know where life will take you. More often than not you will find yourself somewhere you never expected to be and that’s okay. You will learn skills along the way that will mold you into the person you want to be. Those skills are things you never would have learned if you had just stayed stagnant in life and not gone out to work for what you wanted.

[Related: Don’t Follow Your Passion]

In the midst of a quarter-life crisis you may feel like life is against you. When you start to feel this way take account of your life and institute these three tips. You can work your way through this and move on to so many bigger and better things.

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Key Points:

  • Get out of town. If you’re feeling trapped in life, one of the best ways to get over that is to move.
  • You’re not as young as you used to be. Figure out what it is that you want with your life and go after it. Start by assessing your strengths and weaknesses and set goals. Make sure that your goals are practical and achievable.
  • Meet the universe halfway. No one will serve you your goals and achievements on a silver platter. You have work for them. However, keep in mind that you won’t always know where life will take you. More often than not you will find yourself somewhere you never expected to be and that’s okay.

Quote This:

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter. -Mark Twain

See Also: College, Just for Young Adults, Stress

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Do you think a quarter-life crisis is a real thing? Why or why not?
  3. Have you ever felt like you were having a quarter-life crisis? What sort of things went through your head?
  4. Which of these three tips do you think is most helpful? Why?
  5. What other tips would you give someone who is encountering a quarter-life crisis?
  6. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.