Despite being the age of opportunity and adventure, it is easy, in your late teens and early twenties, to get caught up in your own life’s trajectory.
With the rise of social media, it has never been easier to compare your achievements, goals and individual situation with the people around you. During a period of significant change, whether it be post-school or post-university life, more and more of us seem to be hit by the pre-midlife blues.
A survey undertaken by Gumtree.com found 86% of the 1,100 young people questioned admitted feeling under pressure to succeed in their relationships, finances and jobs before hitting thirty.
As part of the boomerang generation, with the competition for jobs so high, with the race to get married, settle down and afford to start a family before thirty, it’s no wonder that the feeling of hopelessness and worry is so rife amongst us.
During this transition into the ‘real’ world, it may seem difficult to find the positives, so here are some things to remember:
– Going through the quarter-life crisis means you are undergoing an invaluable transformation. It is an opportunity to break away from your old social patterns; you are young, healthy and have plenty of time to figure out your life.
– Take one step at a time. Breathe. If you’re living with parents or unemployed: remember that it’s not forever.
– Think about what you already have – are you living independently? Do you have family and friends who love you? Are you in a successful relationship? Do you have a steady income (even if it’s not what you want to do in the long-run)?
– Life is all about making mistakes, as strange as it sounds – enjoy making them and learning! Live life – don’t dwell on all the bad things: every cloud has a silver lining!
– Don’t get caught up in financial stature. If you have enough to put food on the table and go about your daily life, then you are much better off than many people.
– In the meantime: make plans, exercise, make friends and keep distracted.
– You are not alone! Everyone, whether you think it or not, is going through the same transition. And it’s hard, but it won’t last for always – things will pick up before you know it.
What we all have to remember is that social media provides a platform for sharing the best moments of our lives. Constantly seeing other people’s successes broadcasted all over our newsfeeds may seem really disheartening, especially if you feel like you cannot compare, however what we have to remember is that this is just a snippet of someone else’s life. The trials and tribulations that surround these achievements are, obviously, not mentioned, thus harbouring the belief that other peoples’ lives are perfect.
Life is a work in progress, so don’t be so hard on yourself.
