As a parent with two kids in the millennial age group, I was struck by the term “quarter-life crisis.” There is definitely a transition period after college graduation and trying to figure out the next phase of their lives. My daughter is a senior in college and she’s unsure what comes next. My son spent six-months after college graduation trying out a few different jobs before landing one that he thinks he’s sticking with for “a year or two.” Then it’s back to graduate school?
In an article I read on CNBC, Linda Ha describes the uncertainty of graduating from college and facing the question—“what’s next?”
“Millennials face life after college, finding a ‘quarter-life crisis’ instead of dream jobs
“Some freshly minted graduates feel sad, helpless and isolated because of constant change and too many choices.
“The idea of a ‘quarter-life crisis’ has led some millennials to struggle in their search for post-graduate meaning.
” ‘I consistently tried to avoid people, and I would ignore messages on my phone,’ one grad tells CNBC.
“Raphael Natividad is guilty of something most millennials don’t usually do: ignoring his phone.
“Natividad, who recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in heath policy, has a legitimate reason, one that speaks to an existential crisis that has befallen a growing number recent graduates.
” ‘I was ashamed that I didn’t have a full-time job right after college, and that shame made me hesitant to spend time with underclassmen or with peers who I thought had brighter futures,’ Natividad told CNBC in a recent interview.
” ‘I consistently tried to avoid people, and I would ignore messages on my phone or on group chats to avoid any conversation about the future.’
“Although not an official designation by the American Psychiatric Association, a few therapists are using the term ‘post-graduation depression.’ According to mental health professionals — and recent graduates feeling its effects — the condition is characterized by a period of severe sadness, loss of motivation, helplessness and isolation due to constant change and an overabundance of choices.”
The article always references how social media is causing this age group to have more anxiety and depression. Everyone is portraying their life on social media as fantastic, amazing and that they are on track to success. In reality that makes some people feel withdrawn and less accomplished. The reality is that everyone is pretty much in the same boat. And yes, the transition from having a structured life with the focus on education and being supervised by parents to living alone and making their own decisions and choices is a tough one. We can make it better as parents by giving our kids more freedom to make choices when they’re younger.
Are your kids headed for a “quarter-life crisis?” Did you go through a rough transition from college life to adulthood, too?
My millennials.
