Why Is Everyone Else Doing Great? And Other Quarter-Life Crisis Thoughts
Lost, Confused, and Kinda Overwhelmed: Navigating Your 20-Something Crisis
When I was younger I truly didn’t believe in a quarter life crisis. To be quite honest, I thought everyone that said they were experiencing one were just being dramatic. Life couldn’t be that hard or confusing right? Well, I guess I was wrong. I turned 25 in August and it’s almost like the universe said here ya go girl, it’s time we f things up around here.
I feel like I’ve turned into a vampire from the Vampire Diaries and my emotions have been heightened. All my feelings of confusion, indecisiveness, FOMO, and sadness have been magnified, heightened to the point where for the first time in my life, I actually feel stressed about the direction of my life.
It’s not the same feeling from years ago when I graduated from high school or university, and you’re “starting” your adult life. It’s a stronger feeling of running out of time to make the most out of my 20s. On the one hand I feel like I’ve wasted the first half of my 20s and barely have any time left to do the things I wanted to do, and on the other hand I feel like I’m just a baby who doesn’t know anything about life and how to navigate it.
So, let’s talk about it and hopefully, by the end of this blog post, feel better about ourselves and our lives.
Have you ever felt like you’re content (or not lol) with the life you’re living right now but there’s also a million other different lives you want to live? My indecisiveness has always made me feel like that but now that I’m experiencing a true quarter-life crisis, it’s even worse.
I want to be a successful project & sports event manager, traveling the world and making bank with apartments in both Europe and the US. But I also want to be a small business owner, not having to listen to any boss, living in a calm and secluded area. And I also want to be a full time traveler and content creator, setting my own schedule. I feel like now that I’m 25, I have to pick one but the thought of giving up my other dream lives hurts like shit.
It’s almost like I know that I’m going to miss out on so many things because some of these lives will come with their own set of experiences. I want to have that corporate experience, and that “being your own boss” experience, I want to travel, have amazing friends, live life on my own terms, and be the woman of my dreams. But this quarter-life crisis is making me feel like it’s going to be one or the other.
But I’m ready to let it go because this feeling is not helping me build my dream life in any way, shape or form. If you’re feeling lost, stuck, and wondering why others have it so good and you just can’t seem to get your life together, let it go with me. It’s only costing us more time, which is both limited but also we still have so much time left.
The Quarter-Life Crisis
A craving for more. More stability, more direction, and more meaning. A time where feeling lost, stuck, overwhelmed, and confused takes over.
Signs You’re Experiencing a Quarter-Life Crisis
So, how do you know if you’re really in the midst of a quarter-life crisis and not just having an off day or week? If any of these feel a little too relatable, you’re likely in the club (welcome, it’s a big one):
An Overwhelming Sense of FOMO: You feel like you’re behind everyone else, watching friends seemingly succeed in life, work, relationships, or even just brunch plans. Meanwhile, you’re trying to figure out if you even like your job, the city you’re in, or if you should finally start that side hustle.
A Never-Ending Flow of “What If” Questions: Thoughts like, “What if I never find my passion?” or “What if I’m wasting my potential?” seem to be on a constant loop. Your brain loves to revisit every choice, every path not taken, and it’s exhausting.
Career Confusion: You have big dreams, sure, but every day you’re questioning if you’re even on the right path to get there. One minute, you’re Googling “how to become a digital nomad,” and the next, you’re looking up graduate school programs because—why not?
Social Media Comparison Spiral: Everyone else’s life looks like a highlight reel, which only amplifies the feeling that your life is all bloopers. And you know it’s all filters and captions, but it doesn’t stop you from feeling like you’re missing out on something major.
Restlessness or Boredom: Even when things are fine, there’s a nagging feeling like you should be doing something else, something more exciting. The comfort zone you’ve been in? It’s suddenly feeling a little too tight.
Moving Forward: Balancing a Grounded Life with a Fulfilling Life
A quarter-life crisis, as uncomfortable as it feels, can be a perfect opportunity to hit the reset button and find balance between feeling grounded and truly alive.
Why Grounding Matters
Grounding is about feeling secure in your day-to-day life. It’s having that safety net that lets you rest easy, knowing there’s structure in place that keeps you stable and supported. When your life is grounded, you have the confidence to move forward without constant worry.
Signs You’re Grounded
Financial Security: Your bills are covered, and you’re starting to build a safety net.
Clarity in Your Path: You’re on a path that feels steady, whether in your career, studies, or personal growth.
Daily Rhythm: There’s a comforting routine that helps you feel anchored, even when life gets chaotic.
On the flip side, if you’re too focused on staying grounded, you may feel as though something’s missing. It can start to feel like your life is on repeat without any deeper spark.
Signs You Might Be Stuck in the Routine
Feeling Drained: Burnout starts to creep in, and days feel like they blend together.
Lack of Inspiration: You’re comfortable, but there’s a part of you that’s craving more excitement or purpose.
Nagging Restlessness: You have that little voice inside wondering if there’s something you’re leaving behind.
Why Growth Matters
Growth is what keeps life interesting; it’s where passion, exploration, and the excitement of the unknown live. When you make room for growth, you allow yourself to evolve and experience new things that give your life meaning.
Signs You’re Prioritizing Growth
Chasing Your Passions: You’re investing time in things that light you up, even if they’re just small steps.
Aligning with Your Values: The things you do reflect what’s true to you, bringing you a sense of purpose.
Joyful Moments: You feel truly alive and connected to what you’re doing, and to the people around you.
Signs You Might Be Floating with No Grounding
Financial Strain: It’s tough to keep up with the basics, and you’re constantly on edge.
Feeling Scattered: Your days feel unpredictable, making it hard to stay focused or centered.
Struggling to Build Momentum: You’re passionate but can’t seem to get a solid footing.
Finding a Balance Between Grounding and Growth
The magic happens when you can bring grounding and growth into harmony. While you may feel like you have to choose, this time of crisis is actually the best moment to work toward a life that includes both.
For Those Feeling Too Grounded: Find a small way to pursue a passion or interest that excites you, whether it’s a weekend activity or something new at work.
For Those Floating and Seeking Grounding: Start with small, manageable steps toward stability, like creating a budget or setting a basic routine.
It’s Normal to Feel This Way—and It’s an Opportunity
As tough as it is, this quarter-life crisis stage is actually super common and totally normal. Almost everyone in their 20s or early 30s hits this wall, questioning choices, direction, and identity. It feels like chaos, but it’s really just your mind telling you it’s time to reassess and take stock of what you truly want. So, instead of spiraling into comparison or frustration, think of this as a kind of “quarter-life check-in”—a chance to pause, recalibrate, and align your goals with the person you’re becoming.
Conclusion
Instead of trying to “solve” this phase, maybe we can just accept it for what it is—a season of questioning, discovering, and yes, a bit of chaos. Life doesn’t have to look like one fixed path, and you don’t have to give up on multiple dreams. Letting go of the idea that you’re running out of time is liberating because, really, there’s more than enough time to live many versions of your best life.
After all, you don’t have to have it all figured out to start moving forward. Small steps toward what feels right are still steps.
And if you ever feel like you’re slipping back into confusion and overwhelm, know that you have me and a whole community to remind you that you are more than your quarter-life crisis.
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