I never thought the day would come where I would turn 25. I remember being 22 and thinking "Yeah, I won't hit that age." It is not like I am super old or anything, but when you turn 25, you realize that you have lived about a quarter of your life, and look back on all of your accomplishments and millstones. Most importantly, I try to see if I did anything right so far for a 25-year-old.
I am turning 25 on Saturday, April 13. It is weird to me. I used to be excited about birthdays and now I am just like meh about them. I get more nervous honestly knowing that I am getting older. That is part of my crisis. However, I try to look back on the things I have achieved and the things I did not get to do get.
I have a list of things on my door that I want to accomplish with more years to come. My crisis is not being able to reach these goals or have time to achieve them. I worry if I am too behind, another part of my crisis.
I like to think a quarter-life crisis is just something 25-year old's experience when we feel unsatisfied with our lives. According to Wikipedia, a quarter-life crisis is " a crisis "involving anxiety over the direction and quality of one's life" which is most commonly experienced in a period ranging from a person's twenties up to their mid-thirties."
How do we know what direction to go in? We expect college to help us out a bit, which it does in some ways but some days it does not. I work in broadcasting right now and I am still lost if this is the best direction to go into. My crisis has a lot to do with my career paths and if I am making a meaningful impact in the world.
The thought of aging really makes me anxious, knowing that I am running out of time is a big anxiety game where you want to try to everything you can do before you "kick the bucket."
So, how does one beat the quarter-life crisis? I really have no idea.
I try to make a list as I said of this that I want to do in my life; travel back to Israel, helping a sick person, adopt a puppy; the list goes on.
I really do not know if I am on the right path career path wise, where I am living wise, how I should look wise, if others are proud of me and see me as a nice person helping those in need; blah blah blah.
Well this weekend, all I can do is embrace 25, make myself overcome the challenges I have, and keep striving for the things I want, whatever those are. My parents are visiting me from NY to PA and I can't wait to see them and go to one of my favorite places for dinner, The Cheesecake Factory!
Cheers to 25 and my quarter life crisis.