You have a job, a relationship, and a roof over your head, and yet you're not happy about anything. Maybe you're going through a crisis that's not talked about much
At twenty-five, a person should be happy, full of energy and open to possibilities. But instead, more and more young people are experiencing anxiety, insecurity and feelings that everyone else has their life figured out. This condition has a name: the quarter-life crisis. According to LinkedIn research, up to 75 percent of people between the ages of 25 and 33 have experienced one.
A quarter-life crisis is a period of intense questioning about life decisions, direction and one's own identity. People may feel stuck in a job that doesn't give them meaning, stuck in a relationship that doesn't fulfill them, or just passively watching their peers reach important life milestones. While they themselves are stagnating, wondering where they went wrong.
The most common signs of a quarter-life crisis
The most common manifestations include feelings of loss of purpose, low self-esteem, emotional numbness, career insecurity, anxiety, depression, as well as internal chaos and restlessness that can lead to impulsive decisions. There is also often what is known as FOMO - the fear of not keeping up with others. Sometimes the crisis manifests itself as "high-functioning anxiety" - that is, everything looks fine on the outside, but internally the person experiences long-term exhaustion.
The quarter-life crisis is not limited to one trigger. It can be a reaction to a job loss, a breakup, a move to a new city, or even the death of a loved one. But it often comes gradually, as a result of a combination of expectations, pressures, and disappointment that reality does not match the fantasy of adulthood.
Two forms of crisis
Experts distinguish between two main types of quarter-life crisis: 'locked-in' and 'locked-out'. The first is the feeling of being stuck in a role that does not fit one's identity - for example, in a job that provides stability but is unfulfilling, or in a relationship that lacks harmony. The second type occurs when a person fails to get what they want - whether it is a job, a relationship, a home or any other life milestone. In both cases, disillusionment and deep inner turmoil can result.
Social pressures play a key role
Many young people face pressures to fulfil a certain idea of a successful life: to graduate on time, to find the ideal job, to start a family, to get their own home. But the traditional life scenario that applied to previous generations is not so fixed today. As a result, many young adults find themselves in a state of uncertainty - struggling to find their own way, but also facing comparisons with their surroundings and unrealistic expectations.
How to cope with the crisis
Although a quarter-life crisis can be challenging, there are strategies for dealing with it. The key is self-reflection - reflecting on what truly fulfills a person, what they want, and what their values are. It's also important to limit comparisons with others and realize that everyone has their own time frame and journey. Practices such as journaling, mindfulness, or talking with friends and professionals can help to find direction again.
It's also essential to strengthen mental resilience - focus on self-care, conscious breathing, gratitude and also self-acceptance. Many young people feel they have to be at their peak performance all the time, yet it's important to remind yourself that it's okay not to have it all figured out. Life isn't linear, and each stage - even the messy and painful ones - can be an important part of personal growth.
