Happy Quarter Life Crisis
This article was written for THE EDGE VOL. 15 ISSUE 2, “Changing the Narrative.”
‘Car·pe Di·em, an exclamation – used to persuade someone to make the most out of the present moment, time or situation and give little thought to what comes next; most commonly translated to: Seize the Day.
Hey, we get it, change is scary. Change is gross. Change can make us feel completely debilitated. Change, plain and simple, sucks, and nothing is a bigger change than graduating college…or at least nothing yet.
‘The early twenties’ – a period categorized by someone ages 20-24 – is simultaneously the best, most liberating time of young adult life and the absolute worst, most uncomfortable. The early postgrad years are frequently seen as the most prominent time of immense highs and monumental lows; a trying time of heartbreak and growth, opportunity and rejection, rebranding and refreshing. This era of life can be so intense that it has its own very special dilemma, move aside mid-life crisis and enter a new and improved punchy predicament – The Quarter-Life Crisis. The quarter-life crisis is classified as the periods of uncertainty and anxiety that arise when young adults start to question their goals, direction, future, quality of life, and purpose – how fun! We’re happy to say this provoking time can last into the mid to late twenties and, in some cases, into the early thirties, it can be as long as you’d like. How long you celebrate and soak in the upheaval is really up to you. In all seriousness, the mental gymnastics that the quarter-life crisis causes can be enough to place hermit mode on permanent, but, hear us out…what if graduating college and entering the postgrad era is something we looked forward to instead of mentally blocked away? What if we looked at this chapter as something to relish instead of dread? What if we treated quarter-life like it is – a true, celebratory milestone? Sure, we celebrate graduation but what about the day after? What about the year after? A milestone doesn’t just have to be a moment or day nor does it have to be physical, it can be an entire era or a new state of mind. A milestone should be shouted from the rooftops and something to take pride in, so we urge you — seize this moment. If you’re asking yourself how to accept this new era of life you’re entering and how to let yourself succumb to the crisis in celebration…we’ve got you covered, babe. It’s time to shout ‘Carpe Diem!’ and seize the goddamn day.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of a quarter-life crisis, how exciting! Read on to find out the best way to celebrate this new chapter.
THE POST-GRAD BLUES
“Queue the sweet, sweet sounds of a harmonica.” If you’re feeling down about saying goodbye to the college version of you that you’ve come to know and can’t quite shake the melancholy, you may be experiencing a little-known symptom of the quarter-life crisis known as the ‘post-grad blues.’ The post-grad blues is classified as the time following graduation when a person might be struggling to cope with change, dealing with feelings of apathy, or over-intellectualizing past events to the point of anxiety. It's a time when acceptance might not be coming so easily and living in the past may seem inviting. But, hey, that’s okay! Yearning for the past is ohˆ-soˆ-romanticism-coded. Take these new cool-toned feelings as a sign to devote some time to self-love. Celebrate yourself. Maybe go on a little trip or take a social media detox. Remember to be gentle with your mind and let yourself have a nice cry if that’s what you need, we’ve all been there. Coping with the blues is a lengthy journey but it’s also something so universal, there’s not a whole genre of music dedicated to it for nothing, right? If you’re feeling blue we suggest putting on some Billie Holiday or Eilish, grabbing an iced bev, and going on a hot girl mental health walk with a lil’ pep in your step…maybe even bring balloons.
NO MORE FOMO
Let’s get one thing straight, as much as we feel the urge to be doing something at every moment, we really don’t have to. ‘FOMO’ or ‘Fear of Missing Out’ has become the new norm in our generation and is one of the most commonly experienced symptoms of quarter-life. According to Verywell Mind, FOMO refers to the feeling or perception that others are having more fun, living better lives, and experiencing more happiness. What a drag! According to PsychCental, “The innate desire for social connection and belonging can drive FOMO. It’s natural for humans to feel a need for interpersonal relationships and want to belong to something greater than themselves. When people feel they lack these types of connections, it can cause emotional and physical distress.” So, let it be known that this crummy feeling is natural. Perhaps it's time to embrace the FOMO instead of letting it take up your brain power. To conquer the fear of missing out, it’s time for a major reframe and that starts with acceptance. Comparison is the thief of joy, you know. To get over your FOMO, PsychCentral suggests remedies like journaling, meditation, getting in more quality time with those you might be missing, and doing an essential digital detox. Instead of obsessing over what you're not doing, enjoy what you are doing. This time of your life is all about rediscovery which can bring discomfort, remember that and let it be yours to control.
CARPE DIEM
Pack up your things, say your goodbyes and hop on that plane – because it’s time to move on to greener pastures. Bon Voyage, love. The quarter-life is the time to live by the no-regrets mentality and step out of your comfort zone because, frankly, the comfort zone isn’t serving this new era of you. While it may be enticing and familiar, the comfort zone just doesn’t allow for growth, it doesn’t welcome change. Change is persistent. Change is inviting. We’re all just hitchhiking through this unknown, trying to take every opportunity that comes our way and not crumple when we see others succeed. Success isn't measured in dollars or jobs, it's measured in experience and joy. So, consider making the move abroad. This is the perfect time to take a leap of faith across the pond and start anew. Traveling is a reset. Instead of focusing on a chapter ending, get excited for the one beginning. There are so many programs available to recent grads to help with this new transition and if seeing the world is what you seek, there are options. Maybe service is your passion, think about getting involved with the Peace Corps. From gap year programs to scholarship opportunities to teaching, going abroad after graduation can help you find yourself sans the backdrop of Elon’s campus. Feed your explorer syndrome, and take the chance. Get started on the bucket list now, why wait?
2020 VISION
Seniors — listen up. You don’t have to see your future ahead. You don’t have to know where you’re going. Four years ago, the affectionate senior motto might have been, ‘2020 vision’, but, due to unpredictable life events, look how wrong that turned out to be. We all couldn’t quite see ahead, could we? Change is inevitable. Life will always move. Senior spring four years ago looked a lot different than it does now, and we say the 2020 vision is unnecessary. In fact, it's overrated. Celebrate the unknown and live in the present, it’s all we have. Embrace this grad season with your whole heart just like you’re embracing quarter-life. The quarter-life is the era of you. The crisis is yours to command. These are our years. You’re only young once, right? Why waste all that time running away from a little self-reflection. The plane is yours to catch.
So hey, Seize the Day…for us, okay?
