Why Your Quarter-Life Crisis Is Actually A Blessing In Disguise

There’s so much pressure on those of us in our 20s.

It’s drilled into our brains to go to uni, get a 9-5 job, find a partner, buy a house, have kids, buy a dog, pay bills, be unhappy but pretend to be happy and then die.

Personally, that shit freaks me out a little. A cold shiver runs down my spine when I think about a life like that. And that’s not to mention student debt. Anyone else have so much fucking student debt?

It’s because of all these reasons that more and more 20 somethings are experiencing a quarter life crisis. It’s kind of sad, really. How are we so depressed and insecure when we’re meant to be at the prime of our lives? We have Instagram filters that make us look amazing, apps that get us laid with one swipe and platforms where we can share our creativity with the entire world.

If you’re feeling like you’re stuck in this constant stress zone, don’t worry because you’re not alone. With so many things happening, it’s easy to get a little bit lost in this life. You’re at that age where your friends are split up into a few different groups. Some are getting blind drunk, other are getting married and popping out those baby things, while the rest are kind of just floating around either in their jobs or with their partners. We all have something in common though. No one really knows what the fuck they’re doing, and that’s 100% okay.

A quarter life crisis can brew from many things and doesn’t necessarily mean it happens at 25. Maybe you’re returning from a long backpacking trip at the crisp age of 22 and going into a job that you hate. Maybe you just got out of a relationship and lost your job. Maybe everything looks perfect from the outside but something just doesn’t feel quite right.

Everyone has a different reason for their quarter life crisis. Sometimes, you might not even realise you’re going through it. You’ve been feeling a little angry, confused, depressed, bored for the past couple months? It’s not just a phase. It’s probably a quarter life crisis. The best thing about one of these though? The grass is always greener on the other side. Here are a few reasons why a quarter life crisis could actually be a good thing.

1. It presents you with the opportunity to travel

Going through a quarter life crisis can lead you to traveling. It’s common for people to drop everything and embark on a journey in another country. Not only can travel teach you amazing things, but it allows you to think about your life and why you’re going through the feels in that moment. Travel can help build your mood, restore your faith and realize that your life probably isn’t as bad as you think it is. Venture off into villages, get knee deep into local culture and you’ll see that your quarter life crisis is only a way to go up and do better things!

2. It’s a chance to take on a new challenge.

A quarter life crisis could simply mean you’re bored in life and need something to spice it up! When you do the same thing every day for months or years, it can start to put a toll on your mindset. Trying something new can get you feeling excited and adventurous again. It allows you to use your brain in different ways and get lost in a new project. This can range from going to book club, starting a new blog, going back to studies or taking on a sport. Find something that’s interesting to you and take it as a new challenge to commit to.

3. It helps you figure out what you actually want in life.

Going through a quarter life crisis can really help put things in perspective. When something doesn’t feel quite right, it really allows you to stop and think. Take the opportunity to write goals, think about what you want to do and why you aren’t doing it. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write a novel? Well this could be an opportunity to take a class, start freelancing and begin the writing process. Figure out what you actually want out of your 20s and go for it.

You may think that going through the feels of a quarter life crisis suck. They do, but the outcome can be positive, if you allow it. Take the chance to getaway on a backpacking adventure, get lost in a new challenge and just realise what you need to be happy. These are meant to be the best days in your life. Don’t let a quarter life crisis ruin it.