Some view our 20s as a rosy time of freedom and exploration–a time when we’re supposed to travel, to discover the world and our passion, and to start a career that we truly love. The thing is, it’s not as easy as it seems, and when things don’t come our way, we start questioning things: Are we doing the right thing? Are we in a career that’s right for us? Are we supposed to know what we want to do with our lives at this point in time?
That’s when quarter-life crisis sets in. The good news is, you don’t have to know everything in your 20s–and even in your 30s, 40s, or 50s! The important thing is, you get to know yourself better, bit by bit, and discover the things that make you happy during this period. But if you find yourself stuck in a rut, here are five things you can do to positively shift your mind-setting about quarter life crisis:
1. Be open to new possibilities.
This is the time for testing the waters, so don’t be afraid to try out new things or a new career path. It could be something you’ve always been daydreaming of before. You want to be a yoga instructor, an entrepreneur, an NGO volunteer, or a graphic designer? No matter how crazy your dream is or you’ll make that 360 degree-career shift, there’s nothing more thrilling and exciting in trying out something new.
2. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
You wouldn’t know your limits and boundaries if you always close that sale or if you were always praised by your boss. We need to stumble a couple of times to learn important life lessons–and there’s nothing wrong that. Don’t be afraid of failure–instead, use it as a springboard to help improve yourself.
3. Think of this stage as a transition rather than a crisis.
You may not realize it soon enough, but you are working toward self-discovery. It is simply an evolution of yourself. Sure, it may be hard, frustrating, or painful, but remember that this is temporary. As long as you are growing, learning, and discovering new talents within you, you’re on the right path.
4. Avoid comparing yourself with others.
We are all guilty of this! You can’t help it but question yourself every time you see you college friends, our high school batch mates, or even your work colleague. Why did she get the promotion I’ve been aiming for? What does she have that I don’t? Stop! We all have different stories that come with different struggles and battles. Quit comparing yourself with others because that’s just not fair to you. Here’s a spoiler for you: the best is yet to come!
5. Invest on yourself.
Now is the time to reflect and to do a little bit of soul-searching. Dwell on your strengths and the things that make you happy. Treat yourself every once in a while. Celebrate little achievements or huge milestones. Connect with your loved ones. Try out new classes or workshops that interest you. Travel. Now is the time to invest on and to discover yourself–don’t let problems, mistakes, or failures tell you otherwise.
