‘Navigating the Quarter-Life Crisis: A Journey of Self-Discovery’
Life in your mid-20s can feel like a whirlwind as you watch friends achieve milestones like buying houses, getting married, and starting families, while you’re still trying to figure out basic adulting tasks like choosing a medical aid plan. This phase of life is commonly known as the quarter-life crisis, a period of intense self-doubt and anxiety about the future.
For a soon-to-be 26-year-old individual from Pretoria, who goes by the alias Miss Demeanour, the quarter-life crisis is a daily existential struggle. “Every single day,” she shared. “But I prefer it that way. It’s a daily reminder that there is a point to living and going through your day.”
Bradley A, a two years past the quarter-life milestone, found himself grappling with career choices. As an architecture graduate, he experienced the crisis through a series of job changes, from sales rep to carpenter to florist and even an English teacher in South Korea. Each decision was made in the hopes of finding a path forward, despite the uncertainty.
Detours don’t mean dead ends
Michelle from Johannesburg took a different approach, focusing on self-discovery and faith. “I’ve started pouring into myself and living my life based off of the faith I follow, not just saying I follow it,” she explained.
According to Dr. Jonathan Redelinghuys, a psychologist and medical doctor, the quarter-life crisis is not a clinically defined condition but a very real phenomenon. He highlighted the intense pressure faced by young adults today, including economic instability, rising living costs, and societal expectations to have everything together.
Miss Demeanour expressed her struggle with finding direction, admitting, “I have no clue what I’m doing. Kidding. Kind of…” She emphasized her desire to build a more meaningful career and social circle, echoing the sentiments of many young adults navigating this phase of life.
No escaping a tough cycle
Bradley shared his fear of stagnation and the pressure of time ticking away. “I’m almost halfway there, and it feels like I’m still stuck at the starting line,” he lamented. Despite the challenges, he acknowledged that progress isn’t always linear and that detours can lead to unexpected opportunities.
For some individuals, the quarter-life crisis manifests as a period of questioning and self-reflection. Michelle emphasized the importance of staying true to her values and personal growth, rather than succumbing to external pressures of societal expectations.
At 25 reality sets in
Dr. Redelinghuys noted that around age 25, reality sets in for many young adults as they transition into full-fledged adulthood. This phase, though daunting, presents an opportunity for self-reflection and growth, allowing individuals to define their values, goals, and personal identity.
Actress and writer Micaela Tucker transformed her own quarter-life crisis into a creative endeavor, using the chaos of her 25th year as inspiration for a one-woman show. She described this period as a time of taking ownership and responsibility for one’s life.
In the words of Miss Demeanour, quoting Virginia Woolf, “I am rooted, but I flow.” The quarter-life crisis may be a turbulent and uncertain time, but it also offers a chance for personal growth, self-discovery, and new beginnings.
