Quarter Life Crisis (KWOR•tur•lyf KRY•sus) noun. Feelings of confusion, anxiety, and self-doubt experienced by some people in their twenties, especially after completing their education. (as taken from WordSpy)

We’ve all heard of the mid-life crisis, but who knew we’d be going through one at quarter-life in addition!? That’s a lot of time spent in crisis mode. If you’re a twenty-something or were one, you know these years are scary, confusing, inspiring, wearisome, exciting and transformational times, to say the very least.

We feel pressured to know where exactly our lives are headed when half the time, we don’t even know what path we’re on. When I don’t know the answer to the question, “Where do you see yourself in ten years?” people look at me like I just shot my neighbor. My answer to that question in middle school in no way matches up to what really happened, so why waste the time fabricating a lie to work toward for the next ten years?

Thankfully, life coach Christine Hassler developed a list of questions to help quarter lifers know if they are, in fact, experiencing a crisis. If you answer, “yes” to 12 or more of these 25 questions, then you’re likely experiencing a quarter life crisis.

1. Are you in a "funk" where you feel like nothing is terribly wrong, but nothing seems right either?
2. Do you feel older for the first time in your life?
3. Are you unmotivated, directionless or passionless?
4. Are you concerned that you don't know what you want to do with your life?
5. Do you feel pressure to grow up and get your adult life in order?
6. Do you feel entitled to a life much grander than the one you are living?
7. Do you often feel depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, lost, and maybe even a little hopeless?
8. Do you feel a lot of pressure and expectations to do, have or be something?
9. Do you ever feel that time is running out in regards to figuring out your career and deciding whether you want to get married and/or have children?
10. Are you stressed out by choices that seemingly will affect the rest of your life?
11. Are you experiencing confusion or disappointment in your career?
12. Do you feel that you have failed because you don't know what you want to do with your life?
13. Do you know what you want to do, but can't seem to make it work?
14. Is it difficult for you to make decisions and when you do, you question them?
15. Do you overanalyze yourself?
16. Do you ever feel guilty for complaining about your life or feel like you are disappointing people (especially your parents)?
17. Are you embarrassed that you have not figured out more?
18. Is a breakup, romantic relationship, or lack of one causing you stress and/or sadness?
19. Are you still living at home with mom and dad?
20. Do you frequently compare yourself to other people your age and feel like you don't measure up?
21. Do you feel financially unstable?
22. Could your self-esteem use an upgrade?
23. Are you thinking about going back to grad school because you don't know what else to do with your life?
24. Are you constantly thinking about the future resulting in anxiety and possibly panic?
25. Is your life just not at all turning out like you planned?

Hassler says if you’re one of thousands having a tough time in your twenties, not to panic. Apparently, it’s a normal reaction to the changing atmosphere that is twenties life. Ugh. So this “quarter life crisis” is basically puberty for 20-somethings. Well, there’s something for our young successors to look forward to!

It could be the last milestone for us for a while. Shall we check the chart?
Just kidding! Life doesn't really go that way, but when you're smack center in the middle of a quarter-life crisis, you might think it does.

Even though I’m not really to the quarter life yet, I answered yes to some of these questions. You think if you’re going to bed at 9:30 p.m. on your 25th birthday, you’ve suddenly aged twenty years and become your parents. I’m 23 now and already have noticed a decrease in my nightlife activities. But I’ve also seen a huge increase in other things I find monumentally more important. People grow up and priorities change, if you are going through a mid life crisis, embrace it; you’re about to see the brighter side of life.

Old age is EARNED.

I just hope to maintain this positive mentality well into my forties.
Bridget Marie