Common Signs You’re Experiencing Quarter-Life Crisis

It’s probably happened to the best of us: One moment you’re enjoying life, and the next thing you know, you’re feeling lost, trapped or confused. What could possibly be happening?

You might be having quarter-life crisis.

What exactly is quarter-life crisis?

Quarter-life crisis—yes, that period in life when you’re constantly feeling stressed, uncertain or anxious on a professional or personal level, or both. It usually happens in your mid-20s to early 30s, which is why it’s called quarter-life crisis. A good life coach in Sydney may help you navigate through it, but in the end, surpassing it with flying colours depends on you.

So how do you know if what you’ve been experiencing is quarter-life crisis?

1. You can’t seem to figure out where you’re headed.

During quarter-life crisis, you might feel directionless. You don’t know what you’re doing with your life and the future seems unclear as well. You might feel like something’s missing and you’re lacking the motivation to make a move in your personal or professional life. Simply put, you feel stuck. 

2. You want change but don’t know how to go about it.

One of the telltale signs of quarter-life crisis is wanting an urgent change, and it’s more than just changing hairstyles after having the same thing for years. You think that this major ‘change’ will be the catalyst to regaining your lost motivation. However, knowing what that change is or where to start is often not crystal clear and that’s where the problem lies.

3. You suddenly have an inability to maintain relationships.

Ever heard of the line ‘it’s not you, it’s me?’ That’s probably relatable when you’re having quarter-life crisis. When you’re confused, lost and stressed altogether, your relationships suffer. Perhaps you feel like your friends’ company doesn’t excite you as much anymore or you might feel distant from your significant other, as if you outgrew them all of a sudden.

4. You feel depressed and anxious.

Quarter-life crisis takes a lot of your energy and it can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. In fact, these are both common when people are at this stage in their lives. 

5. You feel insecure about different things.

It’s easy to feel insecure when you’re at this point in your life. You start comparing your life with others who seem to have it all figured out—your childhood best friend about to get married, your seatmate from college about to get their PhD or your cousin who’s constantly travelling to new places. You find yourself asking why they seem to know where they’re headed when you, on the other hand, seem lost, confused and anxious about the present and the future.

6. You find it challenging to decide on anything.

The thing with this stage in your life is that it’s hard to make a decision. You are thinking of many options to propel yourself forward, but you seem to have no concrete plan. In the end, you make ‘change’ difficult to happen simply because you can’t decide.  

The Importance of Having a Life Coach

If any or all of these signs apply to you, there’s a chance you’re experiencing quarter-life crisis. It’s important to know the signs so you can address them effectively. Just as important is having an experienced life coach by your side as you go through it. You want someone who will encourage you without judgement and has a genuine desire to see you win!