Part I, The Quarter Life Crisis ~ Is 25 The New 45?

Most of us are familiar with the term Midlife Crisis. It is the cultural phenomenon* that has become the punchline of many a joke in our culture. The term conjures up visions of middle-aged men selling their Station Wagons for Mustangs, and leaving their wives for their much younger Secretaries (yes, I said Station Wagons and Secretaries, two words that are now obsolete proving just how old this concept truly is.)

Have you heard of the more recent term, the Quarter Life Crisis? The name given to describe those in their twenties whom, after graduating from college, are finding it difficult to adjust to the real world. The term has expanded a bit and appears to now include aspects of Erik Erikson’s theory of Intimacy vs. Isolation within it.

This broadens the idea to include those in their late teens to late thirties who are struggling with the realities of adult life and the challenges it brings. With the pressure we all face today, it is no surprise that many of us are unhappy and struggling.

The challenges we face in our lives vary from person to person, and though the majority of North American society has it pretty good, with food, shelter, and employment available to us, 75% of people still consider themselves emotionally unhealthy.

The problems could be lack of a work, no romantic prospects, overwhelming responsibilities at home, or unhappiness with a career choice. Any of these sound familiar?

More and more people are changing careers multiple times looking for happiness, divorce rates are high, and other big changes occur that alter the course of ones path. So I ask the question - 

Are we simply to accept unhappiness when in reality we are abundant in more ways than the rest of the world?

Visit again next week for Part II of The Quarter Life Crisis….

* Note: Only approx. 10% of those 40-60 actually have have an age-related “Midlife Crisis”!

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