quarter life crisis 

Get 25% off Blinkist premium and enjoy 2 memberships for the price of 1! Start your 7-day free trial by clicking here: www.blinkist.com/sisyphus

the best part of your 20s is that you get to choose what you do with the rest of your life. the worst part is that you have to choose what you do with the rest of your life.

Perfect timing for my quarter life crisis

I think the concept of growing up takes place over a lifetime but we exaggerate it in peoples early life. There’s no rush. I think remembering that can be powerful

It feels like I’ve been in a crisis my whole life

As a (now) 31 one year old, looking back at my 20’s makes me laugh a little. I used to be fearful of turning 30 as if it was the ultimate cutoff time for my life’s potential lol. I spent 10 years in this quarter life crisis mindset, and I was in the “finding meaning” category. Being delusionally ambitious, developing my social status and reputation, avoiding any sense of negative emotion, learning new things constantly, unstable commitments, or commitments that didn’t work in my favor. I thought it would all add up to something grandiose by age 30… and welp, then I ended up spending the final 2 years of my 20’s in the pandemic. So much anxiety, for what? Everything I anticipated seemed to just disappear. Fortunately though, it was a bit of a blessing. I finally forced myself to take the time to reflect on things that I was previously too anxious to face, and I feel more in touch with who I actually am now. It’s been several years of work and spiritual reorientation, but worth it. Oddly after I turned 30, a lot of my fears of what would happen also vanished immediately, and I realized that I could still choose to be whoever the fck I wanted to be, but now with some life experience and maturity. Whoever is going through a crisis, just know that attachment is your one-way ticket to disappointment. It’s great to have dreams, but don’t become too obsessed with the outcome for them. There are just so many things you cannot control, and that’s totally fine. That’s what makes your story worth telling. Be open and flexible. Most people don’t ever really grow up, we just get better at hiding from ourselves. As long as you work towards a life and inner you that you’re content with, then that’s all that’s gonna matter. If you cringe at your younger self, that means you’re growing :)

I'm finishing my last year of university this summer and it really hit me that I have no idea how to not be a student. That stability was always something I had and now I actually have to find my own way. Having 2 of those years in quarantine also feels like its stunted my entire development to my 20's lmao.

The thing that’s making me spiral is the fact that if you choose wrong the consequences are gigantic, especially financially

I'm 21 , will turn 22 very soon. I lost my mom when I was 16 , and hadn't seen her much from the age of 15 since she was going from hospital to hospital to try to cure her illness. I took a break after finishing high school at the age of 18 , I had planned for this break to be a one year break only , but after the first year I still had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. My father kind of pressured me into doing something anyway (wich I don't blame him for at all , it's only natural that he wants me to go forward in life) and I had noticed that he was worried about me so I applied to the same college he had went to (that's where he met my mom actually) I thought it would make him proud , and it sure did. But I failed. Not that I didn't have good enough grades or anything , I just gave up after 3 months , because even though all my family was proud of me I couldn't help but feel like I was not at the right place. Feeling like i'm useless and wasting the precious time that is given to me here on earth , just walking down the wrong path in general. Now i've applied to another college and I still have no idea what I want to do in the future. Honestly I just feel like there's no place for me to be happy in this society. I've got friends , a great family that I love more than anything , but this world is just so strange to me. At this point i've just given up on finding a place that will feel right to me. I'm not saying the world is all bad , i'm not saying i'm all bad either , it's just a matter of compatibilty that I haven't been able to find at all so far. Sorry for this long ass essay no one asked for , just felt like sharing

I was laying in the best last night and thought "am I having a quarter life crisis?" Guess I'm not the only one.

I'm 33 now, but I went through the quarter life crisis at 25. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. But I made mistakes, ones that cost me. Things I know now but wish I knew back then. Here's what I've learned. When the meaning crisis strikes, it isn't a crisis at all, it's a message. A message to change tracks. To do what you know deep in your soul to be the thing you really want. Not what society is telling you to do. Not what your parents expect you to do. Not what your brain tells you is logical. Your brain is not your ally here. Listen to a much deeper murmur within you. There lies the real truth. Then when you know what that is, make a decision to embark on the path that will get you there. You might look at the mountain ahead of you and be overwhelmed. Voices in your head might tell you you're not made of the right stuff. Ignore them. This journey is made in baby steps, just one step after the next. Always focus only on the next step. I should know, I've walked it too. You might hit a wall early on. For me, it was running out of money. I was almost on the street because my creativity wasn't paying the rent. Fortunately I was able to get a job waiting tables to get myself back on my feet. But I had to really dig my heels in, and I wish I hadn't put myself in that situation. So when you begin to walk this path, I cannot stress enough to make sacrifices. Live well below your means for a while. Eat as cheaply as you can and rent in the cheapest place you possibly can. Make enough money in a shitty job so you have a nest egg. You need that nest egg. Then quit the job, and start working on your dream, being money savvy along the way. Avoid debt at all costs. If a cushy lifestyle is what you want, then go do what society tells you to do. Get that high paying job your parents are pressuring you to do. Settle for the first person you meet and live deeply unhappy and unfulfilled. You'll have a good lifestyle though. But if you are willing to sacrifice your lifestyle and materialism, so you can pursue a meaningful life, strive toward your dream, and grow exponentially as a person, you will reap rewards you didn't think possible. So, ask yourself this quarter-lifers, crisis or message?

I've graduated high school 3 years ago and didn’t go to college. Ive been in a quarter life crisis everyday since then. Recently its gotten worse. I feel like i haven't amounted to anything even though i just started my adult life. The constant reminder that i should have everything figured out and have my career established has been weighing me down. That reminder is worse when i look at the Internet and see so many people my age or younger already successful at what i want to do. Im just gonna try to keep moving forward and take it one day at a time. Thanks for the video!

“We don’t know what we’re doing but we’ll figure it out” a sentence that gets me through uncertain times, and curbs my self doubt. It’s gonna be okay friends

just about to finish highschool and i am curious and nervous as to what to future holds but definitely excited to find my own way through life. your videos definitely help a lot

I’m 20 and have realized that being in school and achieving goals was what gave me a sense of purpose because of the external validation. I’m now recovering from burn out and anxious about what I want and how to be fulfilled. This video really sums up how it feels and assured me that I’m not alone. Thank you

I’m 23. Even though I know I’m doing really well for my age, I still often feel like a lazy bump on a log. And while I consider myself well-adjusted and in tune with reality and my emotions, I don’t practice mindfulness as much as I should. I’m gonna go sit in the forest for a little bit. Thanks Sisyphus

Been experiencing a quarter life crisis pretty much through the entirety of my 20s & now at 29 it feels like the window of opportunity is closing due to the societal expectations and physical degradation that comes with being older.

i will turn 25 this month but I think my quarter life crisis started at 23. For me, the pros of going through a crisis heavily outweighed the cons. It was a wake-up call. And once I realized that no one else could answer it but me, i started taking myself more seriously and being more intentional about how I treat myself and others. There were so many things that bothered me but I ignored bc I had no self-respect or self-esteem. If you face a crisis head-on instead of running away, it will certainly mature you.

29 and i have a solid "career" now. Almost making 6 figures, i still feel completely lost in life and on the edge of suicide. Life is beautiful

This is so accurate. I thought before, that graduating and starting my adult life will change everything. In my country people graduate earlier than I did, so I thought that I was taking my time and so I will enter the ''Adult world'' a fullly mature and thinking person. What do we have in result? The last 3 years since my graduation were the worst years of my life. This winter I spent lying in my bed and drinking excessively, because I never took my time to rest since Uni. I was so tired. It was a terrible time to be deeply depressed (not like there is a good time), but I thought that if I finnaly give myself some time to relax, to cry and let my wildest and laziest dreams come true, than I will finnaly move on to ''better life''. And I can't stress this hard enought, but if you feel like shit and you are on your bottom it doesn't mean that it will be easy from now on. You want some justice in this world, but there is no justice. Tha fact that you feel like shit and you alowed yourself to fall all the way down, doesn't mean that it will be better from now on. But if you put in some effort for yourself, and I mean for YOURSELF, than MAYBE it will get better. I think that I finally found a nice job, a job I want to pursue, and this gives me a lot of confidence. But still I have no idea why I am doing it, why I am pursuing this life. Maybe the person that decided to read this comment thought that this will end on a hight note but it does not. I'm still in this swamp, but it feels like I am getting out. So I urge you to do the same. Keep trying. Keep doing what You thing is the best for you. Keep looking for something you are passionate about, if you need to. And remember, if you try hard it CAN get better, but if you don't try, it never will.

Man, haven't seen a video that resonated with me quite as much as this one. Although it is no surprise to me at all that we all go through this stuff, it's both very comforting but also unbelievably frightening that this is the case.

I turn 21 this summer. I have a cozy job, I live by myself, I have big dreams for the future, but I'm often anxious and aimless in the present. Thanks for making this video Sisyphus, it hit hard. I'm glad I have access to resources like your videos to help me navigate this tricky part of my life.

I’ll be 20 in 2 months and I already feel like a useless human being. It’s good to know even people older than me are feeling extremely scared and lost right now

I'm 26, turning 27 in few months. Time flies so fast that sometimes I actually have to think how old I am. It scares me how fast the time goes. I feel like 2013 is like a recent year and it's been 10 years. It's the worst thing for me. I know how quickly it flies and I feel kinda trapped because I know I will be 30, 40, 50 in a blink of an eye. I am so nostalgic towards everything and I know I will be even more nostalgic when I am older. I'd like to clear my mind of everything and just be a kid who doesn't know anything, and everything gives him joy and this feeling of freshness. Now I feel like everything's so shitty. Like in that South Park episode where Stan felt like everything is a crap. I don't see point in anything. I force myself to do different stuff such as going to the gym. Luckily, I can experience joy out of such things. But many times I get back to the mindset where I am like "what's the point?". I always get back to that miserable point. Such age is also this weird period where you are young but feeling old at once. You look around and see people of age 20 in the late highschool/early college days and just miss that. You feel like one of them but you are much older. Times when you were 20 are the times where you meet a lot of people of your age and everyone is in their life phase called "learn and have fun". They have a lot of days off, a lot of parties. When you get close to the 30 you don't meet so many people, they don't party like before, many of them have families. You kinda feel old. And you lack the free time. Lack of the loong break during the summer is just so shitty. You don't even have the time to build the memories. And having kids? I always thought I want a kid. I still think I want. But I barely have the time or energy to enjoy my life. How could I take a responsibility of a new human? I still want to have fun, I still kinda feel like I am 20. I still want to do some things in my life. And there's so little time for everything that I can't imagine sacrificing it all just to extend my roots. What if my kid wouldn't even want to be here?

The "Forced Adulthood" really resonates with me. I was given the choice to either live with my mom and her boyfriend under their roof (and rules) and not have a social life, job, or any real choice for what I wanted to do. OR I could move out on my own and live the life *I* want but without the same stability or knowledge on navigating adulthood. This was during the fall of 2020. I just got out of high school and coivid had sent my life into a tail spin. My mom and her boyfriend had draconian set of rules that I had to live under (I'm pro-quarentine but theirs was on a whole other level) There was truly no "good" choice to make. But in the end I feel like I made the right choice by moving out and trying to stumble my way though life. But was awful because I was NOT ready to moveout. Definately made me grow up quicker. Which also made me look at my peers differently.

I’m 22 and I really don’t like existing. I tried to take my own life 3 months ago but the cops stopped me and I got arrested. All of my family and friends called me during 5150. I didn’t understand why I was getting so many calls telling me “are you ok, did I do anything to upset you, what’s going on?” Even people who cut me off called me and I didn’t know why or if it was a trick. But now I I just live knowing if I died it would be truly selfish and evil.

Im 30 and i wasted my 20s on drugs, sex and video games. I hate the fact that i did that but i also love the fact that i did that.

Anytime I have a life crisis I just remember the advice from my grandfather:"As long as there are people to hang out with, beers to drink, and women to kiss, life is good". Couldn't be more right.

I'm 23 and recently dropped out of grad school because I was the unhappiest I've ever been in my life, and realized the career I've wanted since I was 19 may not be the best fit for me. I've gotten a lot of weird, condescending reactions acting like I "lost" in life, especially since I now work as a restaurant dishwasher. Honestly though, I already know I made the right decision. Now that I freed myself from something I was practically forcing myself to do, I've had more time to introspect and improve. I've deleted all social media and vastly cut back on the amount of marijuana I was previously using to cope with stress. I've been able to practice more real self-care and explore old hobbies like drawing and reading that I've been too stressed to do prior, while also keeping level-headed and reasonable expectations about the future. Not sure what point I want to make other than noone's life is linear growth, and don't be afraid to *(responsibly)* make big life changes if you feel it will help you for the better.

Being in the early 20s myself, I can totally understand how the transition from a carefree teenager to a responsible young adult isn't supposed to be smooth and easy. The journey of self-discovery may be an ocean of fire, and we all have to swim through it.

Turning 20 tomorrow, I was just thinking about how I never had a teenage love story. I do know what I want to be in life, I'm already in school building toward my dream but it's really taking a toll on my social life. Instead of using my birthday as an excuse to go see the people I love, I've chosen to study for my next test (2nd of June), I feel like I've let people down. At least my dad is proud of my grades.

You don't even know how much i need this , I'm 18 going through last year of HS and it's terrible .As my future career depends on my this year's grades . Here is the thing , i really don't have any dreams or hopes or even a vision of the person i want to become . There are way too many things in the world and I'm too scared of adulthood . I'm terribly lost. Sorry for my bad English, not my first language :) .

mine has been propelled exponentially by money and ambition. these two things are intrinsically tied together in our global society. as a child raised in a standardized educational setting i was never pushed to flourish. i feel so many things, but i feel lots and lots of resentment at those around me who told me that i could do whatever i wanted if i only tried hard enough, but never supported the things i SHOWED interest for and instead pushed me even further towards mediocrity. now i’m 20 and i have tons and tons of things i’d love to pursue but little chance to do them because i’m a beginner at all of it, it takes money to buy supplies for things, and i am only ever able to focus on how i might be able to monetize my current interest so that i might have a fighting chance in our economy which just leads to burnout. i feel like i’m running in circles all while looking for a way out, and social media doesn’t help. the wealth other people my age flaunt because they “””hacked the system””” makes this feeling of burnout take me over. how can i complete my ambitions without money? how can i make money without my ambitions? how can i be worth anything in a society which values nothing, not a single thing, but money and maximizing profits at the cost of the people? i need therapy..

This is not the first time that a Sisyphus videos comes at what feels like the perfect timing. I'm 25, finished my studies and slowly starting my career, not without any struggles. I feel like the worst of the crisis is behind me, and i'm heading in the right direction. But still, sometimes i feel like my blank ceiling is telling me that i am at a crossroad, and that i am stuck in it for the moment. Anyways, thank you so much for these videos, i'm exited for the next thoughts to wonder along with Sisyphus55.

At the end of my twenties, this is my knowledge so far: be patient with yourself (!). Your life WILL change, a lot, in the next 10 years. So try to allow yourself to fail, ponder, change and grow, even tho it feels like the world is resting on your shoulders. People. They will come and go. Some will stick around, some will go different paths. try to be a good friend and make it work, its ultimatetly the only thing that matters, reach out, but try to learn & grow from what these relationships meant to you even if they end up not sticking. You will change roles with your parents: from kid to friend. Try to be the person the world needs you to be sometimes. Try to be open & more outgoing. Try to be the change you want to see in the world. I know it hurts. But you might be suprised how much life can give you. Be aware of the dangers. You might find yourself in situations you realize arent you VERY fast. You also might think youre stuck, with the life you actually wanted right around the corner. Its okay to be not okay. Its okay to ask for help. Note to self: its okay to change. you just become who you really are.

I turn 28 soon. I sold my business 2 years ago and semi retired. I feel like I was in adult mode at 18. Working 60 hour weeks with a bunch of 40-50 year old guys. I finally feel free.

None of these problems would exist if we created a cooperative society, instead of a competitive one. We can feed and house everyone. We can provide every person with purpose. Instead, we leverage each other, causing inequality, which causes dispair for the 99.9%

As a 28 year old my quarter life crisis started post pandemic when I turned 27 and it hasn't stopped

thank you so much for this video. I turned 20 in december and I constantly feel like I was born to create in a world that only values monetary success. i’m glad to know a lot of others share my anxieties and after watching this I feel more encouraged to take the next step even if I don’t know a damn thing about what will come from it

Did this when I was 12, after an old man looked me in the eyes and told me to "Cherish my childhood" out of nowhere. It wasnt so much what he said, as his eyes when he said it. You dont ignore warnings like that. It was the right time. There was still time to act. Still time to recover. Turns out, that was basically the time to start. If your wondering why someone telling me to appreciate being a child led to a quarter life crisis at 12, its because it started as me planning how I was going to avoid getting "destroyed" like apparently happened to adults. The planning led to alot of questions needing to be answered, which led to me taking alot of pre-emptive action to grab hold of myself and my life. Which ultimatly just ended up just being this but starting at age 12. I really appreciate that old mans warning.

legit having my quarter life crisis at this very moment, I am in studying engineering, I don't despise it but its very far away from something I would call a passion and thinking about the future and doing this for the rest of my life gives me existential dread, I am going to change majors I just don't know what to go into yet.

I'm pretty sure therapists recommend checking in with yourself every day😂❤. Also I'm so happy someone is speaking about how traumatic the process of being an adult is

I guess i have a pre-quarter life crisis. Still in school and not even that close to 20 but i have no idea what i want to do, where i want to it and with whom. Glad i am not the only one.

Man… I just turned 21 a few days ago, and this really hits me hard. It feels like suddenly I know so much that I don’t know, that it’s hard to just pick something and start learning

As an 18 year old, it’s kinda terrifying that most people expect me to be married and have children within the next 10 years. I’ve never wanted a long term relationship and have never had one. I think I’ve begun scaring my parents since they’ve been actively encouraging my going with a stranger who asked me out to prom, which I have expressed I’m not comfortable with. I don’t know if I’m just bad at commitments or what but it kinda reminds me of being forced to grow up I guess

I'm super shocked how much of your tips/mindsets in this video I've already incorporated within my everyday life in my 20s. Obviously, I still have worries and concerns, but I'm okay with not achieving big dreams if it means I still have a relatively fulfilling life and live it alongside the people around me. Life is meaningless anyway, and there's no such thing as having a 'successful' or 'mediocre' life because that in of itself is a construct of society. We simply are, so we might as well have fun with it. I do remember feeling this way in high school though and it sucked.

A bit early but thank you, a lot. I am 17 and in the recent days I have failed to find a source of comfort and happiness. I cant seem to distinguish if it is a lost in a relationship that I cherished so much was lost, or if it is because of the overwhelming weight of life’s expectations as well as my own lack of motivation. Your video has always helped me review my situations in life as well as comfort me in times of hardship. Thank you so much even if you wouldnt see this, thank you

Bro. I was riding a Subway just yesterday and thinking that this is strange that I'm having a midlife crisis in my 20s.

Listen I know so many people say “this is exactly what I needed to hear right now“ and for the most part I never really felt that way but my god was this needed right now on this exact day to a laughable extent.

Today was the 1 year anniversary of me graduating college, and while it has not been a bad year, it has certainly been an indecisive and unproductive one. This week has been rough to say the least

Analyzing the different characters of this crisis is interesting. There’s many ways to live this life and at 26, I’m finally noticing the differences between friends and I. Thanks for making this video and providing food for thought.

I’m 23 and so far on my journey I have realized how important meditation and mindfulness really is. It keeps you centered whenever you get stuck in your head and feel loss. You need to find your center and work from there on what you truly want to do with your life. Seek peace of mind, not a goal. Don’t attach to your job or a title. One day you can be a Nurse and than you don’t want to do it anymore and you become a business owner. There are no rules to this life. Be Patient, curious and grateful no matter where you are in life.

Great Video. I think you very actively described what a lot of people are experiencing. Your 20's are definitely a weird time lol. But I hope those watching this don't give up on who they truly are. ☀️☀️

Lmao, I think I'm in my quarter life crisis right now. I recently left my job after 3 years, I shaved my head, and I bought a bunch of gear for travel. The uncertainity of the future is prevalent, but the beauty of life is also present. Here's to finding our purpose and identity in the world: 🍻

Im 23, just finished college and I feel like this video is speaking directly to me. As the final part of my Medical Science bachelors degree, I travelled from Ireland, where I currently live, to Sweden to work in a lab for 3 months. I loved my time there, I fell in love with Stockholm, but also fell crazy in love with a Swedish girl. My time there however, was completely blighted by the worst anxiety and panic I have ever felt. As time moved on during my stint in Stockholm, I slowly realized that it wasnt a realistic option to live and work there due to the language barrier and the lack of job opportunities. I have just moved home and my heart is broken. I feel as if life has played a cruel trick on me, dangling a beautiful life scenario in front of me, only to snatch it away Now I face the prospect of deciding what to do with my life, and make adult decisions for the first time

Seeing the title instantly made me remember talking to a former friend for advice like this when I was in a depressive phase. It’s not exact, but he said something to me along the lines of “We’re in our 20s, it’s a quarter life crisis, but we’ll eventually get to a point where we’re content to some degree of who we are and what we’ve become” -idk I just remembered him and kinda miss him. Thanks lots for this video man.

Well the "what i wanna do/be part" i solved by sitting down and then i started thinking. After that i had questions & i went to find answers to those questions and as more questions came up i looked up information on those and then i stopped ones i was happy with the answers and there was no more questions. Now going to study computational math & cs, because i enjoy solving hard problems, computers are interesting & i have a intuitive feeling that i will have enough work for one lifetime & the salary does not seem bad. Also found out that i really enjoy learning new things,also reading, science & walking outside/cycling. Now writing a book about learning for myself.

This is why the love of my life just left me. She’s 25 and I’m 30. She said she isn’t ready to settle down, and doesn’t want what I want right now. So now I’m giving her the space she needs, and I’m praying she comes back to me. While I wait, I’m going to become the best man I can possibly be for myself, and ultimately so I can be the man that she deserves. And I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up watching this video. So on the off chance she does; I love you, Erica.

23 years old atm. 4 years of college studying, 3 years into a CS degree, and I suddenly find that IT may not be what I am interested in. At least I can probably cash out a Bachelor's in Technology, but I don't know what to do with myself. Godspeed, folks.

I think it’s important to know that you will never NOT have an active crisis. Peace of mind is fleeting and valuable.

im almost done with my a-levels (which is the last two yrs of high school in american terms) and i really do feel like the education pipeline has a big role in pushing people to keep up this momentum of growing up and constantly hitting new big moments in your life. in the uk, schools are educating you on the basis of employment -- in the end, the goal of the system is to get you into work as soon as possible. it's all very fast, very you-have-to-keep-going-or-you'll-fall-behind-and-never-catch-up. i wholeheartedly hope that everyone just takes their time. there's no point in living a life constantly on the move if you don't have the space and time to enjoy it

A part of my journey trough the quarter life crisis has been conversion to Christianity, as it gives me the much needed peace about uncertainty. Not only that, it even gave me a sense of excitement and joy about the things I can’t control. Something I see missing in the life's of many peers who exert a lot of resources to maintain control. I am happy I gave my life into the hands of someone more capable of molding it into something beautiful.

Yep I feel like a fish outta water and even compare myself to others my age who seem to be adapting into adulthood much better than me.I don't want to feel this way. But what helps is just trying to focus on doing what makes me happy each day and spend time with those who uplift me.

I just turned 21 a few days ago. thanks for the video, your content always delivers. Love the community in the comment section, giving me some sort of comfort reading everyone's stories and realizing what I've been feeling is not unique and others know how it goes

As a quarter life crisis enjoyer, I can confirm that I don't in fact enjoy this greatly uncertain and anxiety-riddled stage of my life.

I'm in a quarter life crisis right now. I'm 21, I'm not in college yet, graduated high school during the pandemic, have never had a girlfriend or lost my virginity. My mom has a rare cancer that messed up her face, my dad divorced her. I have had mental breakdowns and panic attacks.

Feel the exact same way right now man, just turned 21, never feel like i'm doing what i should be doing. Can't commit to anything. Don't feel like i belong in this world either

Yet again you hit the nail on the head. Thank you for the reminder to walk boldly into uncertain times

I think growing up, as a concept is romanticized heavily. When you were a kid all you wanted to do was be an adult. Then you couldn’t be told what you can or can’t do, you can have as much ice cream or candy as you want, you can drive and do whatever and then… you get there, you have a job, you can drive but that costs money. Laws, your job, bills, they keep you from doing what you want. What I believe happens is people look at themselves and their situation too critically, too literally, they grew up too fast. I fully believe there is no point where you ‘get it’, where it all finally makes sense, where you have everything on lock, you know how to do every adult responsibility, just like how there is no defining moment of happiness. You’ll still fumble, mess up, just now you have the weight of the law and losing your livelihood on your back. With a hint of absurdism, I don’t think you should think about growing up, just think about the freedom you had as a kid and didn’t realize, and utilize the freedom you now have. Ever wonder how kids learn languages faster? Of course it’s in part due to neuroplasticity, but it’s also because they aren’t afraid to fuck up, if you see a kid mess up an entire sentence structure, you laugh, and maybe teach. Adults are scared to mess up, thus they learn it slower It’s easy to dismiss the younger generation, or even younger you as just dumb, and not knowing what they’re doing, but they have more than we want to admit I think. If there’s anything I want anyone who made it to the end of this jarbled thought process to know, don’t grow up, or at the very least, embrace your inner child, the world needs some more senseless joy anyways

i grew up too fast as a kid and now i feel like i havent grown up at all and im stuck in childish stuff while everyone is moving on around me

I just turned 22 yo this year and i feel lost, i studied what felt easy and what my father wanted me to study now this iz my last year at the university and i just realized that i'm so unhappy and hopeless in the path u have choosen im gonna work ik a job that i dont like, i past years in a university i hate studying things i have no futur on for me , i live in a country that i hate it's here when the qurter life crisis started to kick in i dont want to live like this this isnt me i never gave up on my dreams before it's time to make a move take some action i drew a clear vision in my head wrote it down planned it and now it's time to start it's never too late you're never too old , first step is i'm gonna sacrifice this year just to save as much money as i can i need to find a job work and save money spend less then register in a university in vienna my dream city i always wanted to live in europe study interior architecture its a domain that i really love and also i started learning german because it's their language their wish me luck in my journey i hope i will get there as soon as possible. Just never give up onyour dreams and it's never too late to change your path goodluck everyone

The only part of the adulthood thing I haven't done yet is be fully okay with investing into something I know not to be sure. I'm not that great at commitments, and I've only been kinda good at them when I can immediately see the results of my labor. All the rest of that stuff I've been done with since elementary school. Not that it's a race or anything, in fact I'm pretty sure that early maturation was a result of mental unwellness and trauma and I'd honestly rather not have experienced it even though it matured me at a young age.

I'm only a month away from 19. So I can't help but feel like a little voice in the back of my mind is telling me "buckle up fucko, we're a year away from your mandatory quarter life crisis."

Since i got depressed at 16 even tho I'm not depressed now I've been constantly thinking about my future and time non stop. I've been unable to enjoy doing things that I'm supposed to enjoy because i know that it won't help me in the future and I just feel like I'm wasting my time. Even watching this video feels like procrastinating to me but i make excuses and call it a 'break '

im turning 26 this year and i feel like im just getting started to know myself a little better. due to trauma and depression. hang in there. be patient with yourself.

me a 22-year-old watching this after being interrogated by my dad about what I want to do in life.

My 20s so far for the past 4years have just been me jamming as much knowledge as possible into my brain, different skills, general knowledge and deepening even futher my understanding of other viewpoints. 9years ago i didnt even expect to live this long.

22, dropped out twice from different unis, in another country, gladly have a good support now for certain time, but constantly battling the fear of the future where I'll be on my own. It sucks being smart and talented and settling for a shitty job because of lack of diploma or not being able to speak the language properly. I know I'm a person of great potential and talent, and seeing how people struggle makes me really stressed, I don't want to return to my country, mentally it would destroy me. I stopped a part time job trying to study more, but now money issue is constantly in my head, and I never feel like I'm disciplined enough, I feel like I'm so dumb and time is ticking. I know I'm not dumb with money, I'm trying to create connections, I've been through some shit etc. But no matter how much I prepare I'm fearful of the worst case scenario... Most people would consider me smart, beautiful, talented, but I constantly look back on it thinking: "What's the fu***ng use of it if I don't gain money with it?" I hope to get a job where I'm fulfilled, enough free and gain enough money. I hope to create something of my own someday. But oh god it's not easy without rich parents or partner to rely on

Sorry bro im 27 and already had my quarter life crisis, it broke me and i live in a downward spiral of existential crisis and anxiety attacks haha wow

I needed this video man. Close to my 24s I am dealing with this decisions that will change my life forever and sometimes is too much, but we have to imagine that everything will be fine. What other choice do we have?

I turn 20 in a week from tomorrow and I am very definitely having this kind of crisis. Thank you Sisyphus for helping me learn how to find peace and right myself on the track I'm destined for.

Have been having my quarter life crisis for eight years now, and can say this video explains it quite well. It's important to remember it's a slow and steady progress, and sometimes it's better to keep focus on the here and now. It helps me dissipate the anxiety and dread the concept of the future inflicts in my brain.

I’m just going to keep my head down, and put in work!! I wish I worked this hard on myself when I was a teenager.

The more you understand the world, the less you want to be a part of it - me, just now

Trust @Sisyphus to articulate my current state of being perfectly with each upload:)

My 20s have sucked so far (I’m just now realizing it) From 20-23 I was suicidally depressed working a dead end job I hated. 24-25 my depression was gone, but the pandemic happened and killed my momentum. Went back to a retail job and got into a car accident, resulting in thousands in debt. Then this year my mom died. I’m broke, unemployed, grieving, the only friends I have are stuck raising families, and I’m totally lost.

this video (and your calmingggg voice) brought me a lot of peace. thank you

This hits on the spot as a mental health therapist in my later 30s. Graduated college double major psych/phil and no direction from anyone until late into my masters degree. Keep providing insight SP. it is relevant, valuable and on the mark

This kind of content always calms me down for some reason…

Thank you so much I’ve been dealing with this for nearly 2 years and I’ve been so confused and sad about my life because I didn’t know what was going on or how I’d even gotten myself in this stage and I’ve hated myself for a long time about it. This video has blessed me thank you ❤️

The timing is impeccable

Turning 21 next month and not wanting to drink or smoke made me ask myself "what Is there to celebrate?", and seeing this came in the perfect time.

Im a bit later in at 21 but man this hit. Recently made a move that has me really certain about requiring stability and to a point isolation to grow in my life and alot of recent self- realization regarding my economic self sufficiency due to a lack of that as an adolescent which had me as an outcast with a group of outcasts. Hearing stuff like the ‘rites of passage’ is also huge like facts Im always going to a degree feel like im working towards absolutely nothing because its not a sure thing and we’re also never going to “grow all the way up” you feel.

Why did I wait until I turned 23 to start caring about my mental health 🤔

I've kept coming back to this video whenever I feel like I need a little bit of clarity. Shit's rough rn for us 20-something recent-grads, but then I come back to this video, remember to be self-compassionate, and refocus on the path I want to pursue. We'll get though this!

Fuck man, we are all here probably feeling the same feeling of uncertainty while trying to figure out our lives. I just wanna give a hug to y'all, this is so emotional, we are all connected.

25 hit me hard tbh. Growing distant from old friends, making the decision to go back to college and as a result having my routine completely turned on its arse, losing a friend the year before, try to kick old habits, growing distant from family. ANXIETY...... It's a privilege to live in a world with so much choice but I can't help but long for a more traditional society , where I could get a job and a house easily....

Been cruising through life the past few year due to the pandemic I didn't really feel like I was not a student anymore. But now that the dust has settled for about a year now, the feeling is starting to creep in but I'm already in my mid 20s. People are getting married and I still have no idea what I want to do, with my career, with my social life, with the other aspects of life. Career is stable but boring and tbh kills me a little inside from the thought of doing this for the next 40 years. Social aspects in terms of relationship is pretty much at 0. The pressure of time is mounting and I just don't know what to do.

I know, probably no one will read this but I'm 26, single caring father of a 7 year old daughter. Diagnosed with bipolar depression since I'm 13, stoner since 16, took other bad stuff since my early 20's.... and I work fulltime at a decent job and I'm a good dad and somehow get everything to work. Sometimes I think that I need that complete breakdown. something that forces me to decide wether to quit or to fight. I can't and won't give up because my daughter needs me, but I feel like I'm not living for the past 10 years and then I try to hide the pain in alc, weed or other bad stuff. I never open up about this, because everyone thinks I manage everything well. No one knows how far on the edge to insanity I am, only reason I keep going is my daughter. But I know that won't last forever. Do anyone have any advise? Did someone experience something similiar? Why is it so hard to be happy? Why do I know exactly what I have to do, but feel like I can't to it...

Experiencing my 20s is like a rollercoaster ride, at times I am enjoying life with my friends at partys, feeling like I made the right choices only to sit at home months later totally alone without anyone and questioning my existince and choices, relationships are as unstable as the motivation to continue my recently found passion, both barely lasting a couple of months if not weeks, having so much freedom to choose but being afraid to commit, constantly wondering if I made the right choice and nobody can tell me if I did. It feels like a race against the clock, telling myself "if I don't get dream job, wife, kids, house until I am 30, my life is doomed to misery" mixed with the question "Who the fuck am I and what do I want?".