Quarter-Life Crisis

I've been meaning to blog about the Quarter-Life Crisis, as I've been in this mode for the past 2 years. What better time to write about the quarter life crisis than 5AM on a Saturday morning right? I guess I'm not going to live to be particularly old, reaching quarter life crisis at 19... I guess some can claim that I'm not going through the same QLC as some late 20 year olds, but as far as I know, I meet most of the symptoms on wikipedia listed under quarter life crisis. Let's just say that I have all but ONE of the symptoms, and I won't say which one. The symptoms are as follows:

• feeling "not good enough" because one can't find a job that is at one's academic/intellectual level
  
• frustration with relationships, the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
• confusion of identity
• insecurity regarding the near future
• insecurity concerning long-term plans, life goals
• insecurity regarding present accomplishments
• re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
• disappointment with one's job
• nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life
• tendency to hold stronger opinions
• boredom with social interactions
• loss of closeness to high school and college friends
• financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipatedly high cost of living, etc.)
• loneliness
• desire to have children
• a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you

So after some googling and personal experience, I have found practical ways to deal with the infamous quarter life crisis.

1. Grow up. I think this is what i mainly struggle with. I have to accept that I am old, and no longer a child. I have to accept the fact that I have responsibilities and am an adult. I can't get away with crying and fussing to get my way. No one really cares if I fuss and cry and surely will not change your your circumstances.
2. Acceptance of Reality. Stop being in denial! You are no longer a child. It will not change if you date younger people 10 years your junior to feel young, or if you date older people to feel younger relative to them. Stop lying about your age.
   
3. Interpersonal Relationships. According to The Happiness Trip, which I highly recommend, one part of the formula to reaching happiness is interpersonal relationships. Establish key friendships that are more than just people you can party with.
   
4. A search for something meaningful. For me it's religion, specifically Christianity. That's all I'll really say right now. i think religion helps me with my sense of identity. How I do pity the lonely atheists...
   
5. Finding your passion. By no way am I advocating to quit your day job and start your own band. I'm a cynic, I don't believe people LOVE their jobs, but that doesn't mean that you can have things you are passionate about. I love playing basketball and the guitar, and I work in finance, and am not a professional basketball player or a rockstar. I don't have a problem with that, as long as my job doesn't take over my leisure time in that I can't pursue what I want to do.
   
6. Random Acts of Kindness. Still remember my junior high teacher who championed "random acts of kindness." I think this is actually the most selfish thing you can do. Not only does it makes you feel better about yourself by helping others, it also brings positive karma. I recommend nycares.org for volunteer work in New York City.
   
7. Engage others. I guess this point is a combination of #3 and #7. Talk to random people you encounter! Compliment them. Strike up a random conversation. You will find out that you are not all that alone.
   
8. Love life. I think this is the most important point. I've been striving so hard towards certain goals that I don't have time to "stop and smell the roses." Just slow down and do things that make you happy. Do a little window shopping. Enjoy the sunset. Whatever it is, just slow down and appreciate the little things in life and just LOVE LIFE.
   

Don't know if this is helpful as I am struggling with this myself. Now excuse me while I kiss the sky.