5 Tips to Navigate a Quarter-Life Crisis

When you think of a midlife crisis, your brain probably conjures images of cherry red sports cars and casinos in Las Vegas. But when you are navigating your mid-twenties and early thirties, you may fall victim to something similar: a quarter-life crisis.

Unlike a midlife crisis, you probably will not put your entire retirement savings on black and hope for the best. However, a quarter-life crisis probably has you questioning your life’s trajectory and, honestly, feeling a bit depressed. Although you are probably making the most money you ever had in your life, you still may not be financially comfortable. Your friends may be starting families of their own, or perhaps you are facing first-time parenthood. Either way, the truth remains the same: traversing this period of your life is hard.

Fortunately, you are not alone in your feelings of aimlessness. There are plenty of people out there, like me, who want to help you navigate this crisis with grace. Keep reading for five tips you can follow to get through your quarter-life crisis.

1. Reconnect With Your Passions

Growing older usually means working longer hours. Working longer hours means you may have forgotten about your passion projects. Sometimes, our job does not necessarily fulfill our soul’s desires. You may love to paint or write but work in business. Be sure your nine-to-five does not detract from your passions at home. Find your way back to the things you love.

2. Find Some New Hobbies

Perhaps your old hobbies no longer serve you or fit into your lifestyle. And that’s ok! Just be sure to pick up something new along the way. Having hobbies round out our lives and bring us joy. Consider looking for craft stores in your area that offer classes for knitting or crocheting, or join a yoga studio. Whatever it is, be sure it makes you happy.

3. Redefine What Success Looks Like

It is not uncommon to imagine success looking like one thing for your entire life: a house in the suburbs with a picket fence, for example. However, once you live a significant portion of your life, you may realize this definition has shifted. What you once wanted in life may no longer look like “success” to you.

It is ok to change your mind! Not everyone wants to have a house in the suburbs. Just be sure to come up with a definition of how you want to be successful in your life, and eventually, you will be.

4. Imagine Your Dream Future

Now that you have redefined “success” in the context of your life, imagine what your future will look like. Do you want to be a high achiever in your career field? Are you looking to be a parent someday? Whatever it is, once you are able to think about what you want out of your life, you can take the proper steps to achieve your goals.

5. Come Up With a Self-care Schedule

Self-care in your early 20s may have looked like takeout food on the couch. Now that you are a bit older, however, you should come up with a self-care plan that makes you feel good inside and out. This means taking the time to honor your body with movement that feels good and setting healthy boundaries with the people in your life.

Of course, you can always seek out therapy for young adults in order to help you navigate your quarter-life crisis. There is nothing wrong with admitting you need a little help and leaning on your support system. I hope you reach out today to schedule an appointment.