Monday, March 3, 2008

quarter-life crisis

Read an article today in Swedish newspaper SvD about how young people are having a quarter-life crisis. An expression coined by the American Abby Wilner, 25, newly graduated from university moved back home to her parents. I wrote the other day about my anxiety about my future, and although I am not deep into the crisis I have some worries.

I want to achieve so much and fast. There is a lot of pressure. But the pressure does not come from my family or friends, it comes from me. I am putting the pressure on myself. I want to get a good job, have a steady career, earn money, develop as a person and with my job, work abroad within a couple of years, have a nice apartment, see as much of the world as I possibly can, and the list goes on.

Now, I am soon done with four years of studying and will have a degree in economics. I have studied abroad in Singapore and Finland. Been living one year in the US. Been active in the student association at my university. Been in charge of the school magazine. But is it enough? Enough to get employed at a company that I like? To get the future that I want?

Up until now I have been the person who takes one day at a time. I still want to be that person. But I have to try start thinking ahead. It is now that I need to start applying for a job and internships. I need to get better at planning. I need to stop worrying. But it is difficult when it comes flying right at you.

How can I stop worrying when I have nothing figured out?

3 comments:

  1. im female from the philippines and im having the same problem. there's so much that i want to do but i can't get out to do it...i want to try studying abroad but some things are just keeping me from doing so like finances and family connections..i know its a big world out there and we only have little time to see it..you're so lucky you already experienced studying abroad :)

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  2. im female from the philippines and im having the same problem. there's so much that i want to do but i can't get out to do it...i want to try studying abroad but some things are just keeping me from doing so like finances and family connections..i know its a big world out there and we only have little time to see it..you're so lucky you already experienced studying abroad :)

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  3. There is a lot of pressure for people in their twenties to graduate and quickly figure it out. It's draining, but also exciting. I'm blogging about this too, @ nothingtoloseblogspot.com. There's a lot of highs and lows to being in your twenties, and there isn't one easy answer. Good luck, I like your blog.

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