Do you feel like resigning to your work because you felt stagnant and that you’re not growing up professionally to be where you’re supposed to be? Are you not happy and contented with what you’re doing anymore? Do you feel like whatever you’re doing is not in line with your passion? But then you don’t have any choice but to stick with it? Are you torn between choosing to follow your dreams and taking the risks and uncertainty of your future? If you’re stuck on this misery, then you are most probably suffering a quarter-life crisis right now.
“If you were happy every day of your life, you wouldn’t be a human being. You’d be a game show host.” — Veronica Sawyer
Quarter-life crisis is not new, especially to those people who just transitioned from their teenage life to adulthood. To some of us, this has been a huge shocker. We find ourselves shifting our goals and priorities as we face the reality of life: working to earn more money, paying your bills, and fulfilling your duties and responsibilities. Often, we get stuck and lost in. You’re confused as to what direction you should follow. How do we free ourselves from the confinement of this crisis?
Here are our top 3 tips to help you overcome the quarter-life crisis you’re experiencing to move forward in your life.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
One reason why we get stuck in life is that we often compare ourselves to others. So what if your friend managed to travel around the world after two years of working? Why do you care if your colleague got promoted ahead of you? So what if your batchmate from college is already married and you’re not? Just because they’ve already achieved these milestones in life, it doesn’t mean that you’re left behind.
Remember, that each of us has an individual and unique journey to take in life. Life is not a competition of who gets to have what first and who gets left behind. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, just divert your focus into accomplishing all the dreams, goals, and priorities you have in your life. What’s more important is to live your life the way how you want it to be. You need to set your own pace as you carve out your path. Don’t live someone else’s life, focus on building your own.
Don’t get overwhelmed by high expectations
While having expectations is a good thing, they truly suck if you are unable to achieve them. And when disappointment occurs, we often beat and chastising ourselves for not doing better. We feel bad because we let our family and friends down. We feel worthless for being unable to achieve our dreams. Sometimes, we even develop the fear of having expectations because we’re afraid of failing to accomplish our goals.
Instead of focusing on the future, divert your attention on the present. Do what you can at this early point in your life. Take some time to enjoy what you’re currently doing. Digest the lessons that you learn in the process of achieving your dream. We want you to remember that:
“What you do today will determine who you are tomorrow.”
Hence, stop thinking too hard about the future and do your best today. Before you realize it, you’ll find yourself having achieved your dreams.
Celebrate every success, no matter how small it is
Another reason why we feel so stuck is that we’re so focused on achieving our goals that we forget the success we’ve accomplished. You may still be far from where you want to be, but take the time to look back and see how far you’ve come. Do you want to give up right now? Certainly not, right? Therefore, instead of indulging in misery, try to create a step-by-step plan to achieve your dream. Whenever you accomplish one task or milestone, give yourself the liberty of celebrating for a job well done. After all, you’re now one step closer to your dreams! Baby steps.
