Quarter Life Crisis...Really?! Yes, Really.

I was talking to a friend earlier and I told him I was experiencing a quarter life crisis. His response was, "A what?"


As a sociologist I recognize this is not some made up phenomenon. There are websites (http://www.quarterlifecrisis.com/), news casts (Quarterlife Crisis Hits Many in Late 20s - ABC News), and books (Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties) dedicated to the subject. 

My quarter life crisis is stemming from my transition from the academic world into the real world, just as Robbins and Wilner (2001) suggest in their book on the subject (title above). In my transition to the real world I had to move to a new place. A new state in a new city to a new job. I only knew one person when I arrived here. That is where my quarterlife crisis began. I was lacking the social network I was used to in the academic setting. In academia you have a cohort, a group that you flow in stages with. On the job, I was hired along with other new and old phd's, but we did not have an initial bonding time. During this time I had plenty of time to re-evaluate the relationships in my life at present and those I would like to have in the future. I became reacquainted with high school friends during this period and that aided me in my adjustment. I never really considered myself a social butterfly, but I had always been surrounded by those whom I had encountered in my academic career. I have friends from each stage: secondary, undergraduate, and graduate school.
I also had time to think about how well folks in high school were doing compared to me. I know, I know...though shalt not covet.... but there are folks who stopped at their bachelor's that are making twice what I'm making now and are traveling all over the world!! I realized that I chose the wrong major or the wrong passion chose me... I chose sociology as a major in undergrad with the dream of becoming a "profiler." Haha. It took me two years to figure out you couldn't just be  a profiler, partly my own fault. Then I realized that I would like the freedom and schedule that comes along with a life in academia. But anywho, when I'm alone, I have plenty of time to think about these things. Maybe too much.

As time went on, I made acquaintances with other colleagues, folks I played tennis with, and the organization I volunteered for and began my travelscapades. Oh how I love traveling... (I'll save that for another day.) I eventually reached a point where I was satisfied at my position in the world... then today hit.

This is my birth month. June 17 I will turn 28 years old. 28!!! By 28 I'm supposed to have traveled to at least 3 other continents and done half of my bucket list (which is actually written out and is being continually added to). I should have a partner and be thinking about having kids in the next 6 years or so.... (still not decided on that part yet). I'm coming to the realization that I have not actualized my goals! Should I just set new goals or continue to the goals already set? Well what the world to do about it?

So my crisis has come back upon me. As this first quarter of my life is coming to a close, I hope to rationalize and remedy this crisis.

That's enough randomness for tonight. Until next time....