Why Millennials Are Facing Quarter-Life Crisis At 20

Quarter-life crisis can be understood as “a period of insecurity and doubt that many people in their mid-20s to early 30s face”. Insecurities and doubts surrounding relationships, careers, and finances are some issues they are seen grappling with.

It is a situation accompanied by a huge wave of confusion, stress, anxiety and decision making dilemma that engulfs millennials in a cycle of self-introspection, questioning and constant insecurity about the future.

Also: How To Reboot Career For Senior/ Middle-Level Managers

The pace of life is getting faster by the day. We are moving at an exponential rate. Everything has become so complicated that youngsters are reaching this crisis point in their life much earlier than expected. Astonishingly, people as young as 20 are facing quarter-life crisis.

Who am I? Who can I be? The questions are characterized by delayed choices and personal confusions

Quarter-life crisis is highly attributed to career uncertainties that a 20-something experiences. Trying to find the right career path, an inherent desire to become financially independent and the desire for stability. Figuring out relationships and friendships add to this mental chaos. Personal and professional altercations and misunderstandings contribute significantly to the mental chaos.

Also: Men, Women, Equally Committed To Career: Study

We are living in a generation where everything is marked with cut-throat competition in every field. Not being at par isn’t a choice. Another panic-inflicting attribute is a comparison of oneself with our colleagues, acquaintances, friends, and family. For college and university students especially, it gets stressful to see their classmates and colleagues availing opportunities while they themselves might still be lost in the blue.

We talked to a few people regarding this. Here’s what they have to say about it:

Aditi Srivastava from Delhi University says, “Let me start off by saying that you are not the only one experiencing these discrepancies between work and life. We all face this. I am about to complete my graduation. I would suggest all my fellow mates be gentle with themselves and take as much time as they need to explore themselves.”

Personal Confusion

“It can arise because of misguided purpose, a trial of confused identity, and even hopeless transition,” Vaishnavi Gupta says.

Akshita, a DU student, feels that looking at a number of opportunities slip by is what causes her the most anxiety. “Often, I look at my friends going for internships, doing well in studies and even managing societies along with it. It makes me highly wonder about my current situation and I am frequently left with zero motivation.”

Also: Monday Motivation: 5 Stories of Women in the World That Can Lift You Up

Another student, Rishika, comments,” For me, my quarter-life crisis is an outcome of the huge amount of expectations that my family has from me. I am yet to figure out my career options and that is what scares me the most. Still, I believe it is all part of life and I am not old enough to fret over these things. I'll eventually get some clarity in life, I hope.”

Rakhi Gupta, who is working at Zee Media, says, “I have experienced it in my life. After graduation, I couldn’t decide what to do further in my life. And after years of struggle, I finally got a job that is not just a mere job, but values me, my efforts and my time as well. I feel there's a reason you're feeling this way -- so don't try to ignore it. Think, reflect, and talk about it as much as you can so you can move past it without any lingering feelings of doubt. Good luck!”

Misguided Purpose and Confused Identity

Samiksha Sarwari says: "We each have unique identities, beliefs, and behaviours. When these are in alignment, life is good. When they’re out of alignment, life sucks. A misalignment of these elements is what puts us in dilemma and creates this quarter-life crisis at an early age. Sometimes, unable to fulfill expectations of the family bring up to this situation. It scares me. But, I hope it will be over by the time I complete my graduation.”

“Quarter-life crisis? I think it is no different from any other form of crisis. The basics still remain the same. We feel tensed and lost. At times, we are demotivated and don’t know exactly which way to head? Aren’t these the same problems we have faced multiple times in our lives before? We have. It’s just we are facing these alternative problems at the same time," says Mansi Anand. 

"We are facing this at an early age because we all have certain pressures to achieve something in our lives before reaching our 30s. We all feel pressure to succeed and are scared of failing in finding jobs, finances, and relationships,” adds Mansi.

Quarter-life crisis is nothing different. We all can relate to it. It exists because everyone craves to get settled rather than spend time in making decisions

It is important to decide and take some time to tackle the problems of life. What do you think about this early life crisis? Share with us your views below.

Picture Credits: depositphotos.com

Inputs: Nimisha Bansal

Deepali and Nimisha Bansal are interns with SheThePeople.Tv

Also: Future Of Jobs Will Hit Women Most: Davos Report