Quarterlife crisis
An article which I read on 31st Jan 2006 caught my attention. It was featured in the Life! section of The Straits Times. Nowadays, I seldom have the time to read the papers after work, considering the fact that I travel 1.5hr from work to home, by the time I finished dinner and settle down, it's definitely close to 9pm+. Anyway, I could identify witn the contents of the article. With my 24th birthday fast approaching, I considered myself to be in the 'mid-20s'. No, I will not moan about myself getting older.I consider it to be 'getting wiser',=)Unlike the mid-life crisis, which of course is well-documented, the quarterlife crisis is seldom talked about. Well, for the '20 somethings' like us, subconsciuously we think that we are 'invincible' since the 20s is the best time of our lives, so they say. So, what kind of 'crisis' do we experience?You might wonder. In the past, I thought I was the only one going through the feelings of bewilderment, 'where is my future', til I read this article. Let me take a quote from the author: "It also feels like a period when all the protective buffers that the guardian angels in your life put up to protect you start to crumble." I know how exactly it feels. It's like suddenly we have to worry about 'adult matters' such as filing of income tax forms, taking up insurance plans, savings for old age etc. In the past, such matters were brushed aside because they are 'too adult'. Now, it's a reality. I find myself becoming more practical in money matters, cracking up my brains to compare where I can find the 'most value for money' groceries. Just a few days ago, while I was travelling in thr MRT, I was seized by the thought that hey! every decision I make, it will shape up my character and the progress of my adult life. Goodness gracious! I was struck by the fact that what I do in my 20s, will have an impact in my 30s and beyond!
When I confided in my gal pal about my feelings and thoughts, she simply laughed, " I feel the same way too!". As I looked back at the years after I graduated in 2004, there were tell-tale signs that I was going through quarterlife crisis. I found myself spending weekends hibernating at home and experiencing sudden pangs of anxiety about "being stuck in personal or profession rut". There were times when I thought I was clinically depressed, was almost a step to seeking professional help!
When I was in my teenage years, I yearned to be an adult.To earn my own income, have a professional job, driving a car etc. You know, we have this mentality that being an adult is 'hip', 'grown up', 'mature'. Fast forward to now, I am already an adult, chronologically. At times, I reminisced of the years as a teenager, ignorant of the cold realities of the world and just simply enjoy studies.
Quoting from the article: the term 'quarterlife crisis" was first coined around 1998, and it usually occurs shortly after a young person begins his or her professional life. Symptoms inclde insecurity about the near future and present accomplishments, a confusion about one's identity, and a nostalgia for the not-so-distant past. Spot on!
I am hopeful of myself to be delivered out of this crisis! *grins* Well, perhaps I should enjoy it while it lasts and take it in my stride of come what may.
*listening to: 'Funky B' by Brian Culbertson
posted by Jiatine @ 12:27 PM
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