The years that many young people, particularly members of Generation Z, were frequently assured would be the best of their life have ended up being very different.
Young adults, usually between the ages of 20 and 35, are going through times of high stress, worry, and self-doubt earlier than preceding generations. Some are referring to it as their “quarter-life crisis.”
With NBC 7, you can watch San Diego News for free, anywhere, at any time.
There are numerous contributing elements. First of all, young individuals are far more affected by America’s severe loneliness issue than are older generations. Only 17% of American individuals under 30 say they have close social ties.
Additionally, young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report being less happy than those in their 40s and 50s, which is a change from the decades-old U-shaped happiness curve. One of the explanations they give is the detrimental effects of social media.
With our News Headlines email, you can receive the best local San Diego stories every morning.
It’s understandable why young people feel completely overwhelmed and at a loss when they have to deal with the usual stresses of young adulthood, such as defining their identities, starting careers, and becoming independent, as well as the ongoing onslaught of global crises, such as economic instability, geopolitical conflicts, and climate change.
Twentysomethings are graduating from college, starting jobs, and, with any chance, leaving their parents’ homes. At this time, “young people have a tough go of it, the world is messy and hard, and a lot is expected,” according to Sage Therapy’s COO and therapist, Sadie Salazar.
“I’m not envious of Gen Z. ‘I, too, had to transition through the seasons of life,’ will undoubtedly be said by every generation that has preceded it,'” says Salazar, a Millennial in her 30s. “But the amount of competing factors and stressors that are present for Gen Z folks right now, I personally think is unmatched.”
Money Report
Cramer’s Lightning Round: I’m going to take a pass on Toyota’
Jim Cramer explains why he’s hesitant to recommend Figma when shares start trading
Gen Zers between the ages of 25 and 29 were questioned by CNBC Make It about this stage of their lives and what has been the most difficult for them. What they shared is as follows.
Darius, 27
“Where are the instructions?”
Nafeesa, 29
“I wanna be bill free again.”
Tiona, 28
“The job market is terrible, so it’s been incredibly hard to launch my career the way I want to. In addition to questioning every choice you’ve ever made, your profession isn’t going the way you want it to, your romantic life isn’t going the way you want it to, and life isn’t going as planned or as you had hoped in general.”
“Dude, the mid- to late-20s are a terrible time in life. It can’t be expressed any other way. It’s awful. All I can hope for is that my 30s will be much better.
T’Nya, 27
The only reason it’s hard is that I think I’m too old to be a mess. But my life has only just begun. I’m looking for a [happy] middle ground. Attempting to extend grace to myself as well.
Faiza, 29
“This sh*t [is] hard bro.”
Leah, 26
“I’ve applied to maybe 100 positions in the last three months, but I still can’t find a job in my sector. I feel like I have a lot of weight on my shoulders, but I’m not giving up.”
People may feel intense emotions during a quarter-life crisis, according to 28-year-old Gen Z therapist Jasmine Trotter of Wild Cactus Therapy.
Trotter and Salazar state that during that time, persons may:
- Feel pressured to figure out what their purpose is
- Experience stress or anxiety
- Struggle with indecision around big choices like where to live and when to start a family
- Feel disappointed about where they are in life
- Get overwhelmed by trying to make ends meet
- Deal with loss and grief for their past selves as they transition into adulthood
Finding the appropriate spouse, settling into a career, and moving into your first apartment are just a few of the difficulties that come with being an adult. According to Salazar, navigating this might be more challenging when social, economic, and political aspects are taken into account.
Even once-reliable areas like computing have drastically reduced hiring, so young people face a challenging employment market with severe competition for entry-level roles.
“I would not want to be a Gen Z person in my 20s looking for a job,” she states.
Trotter says that the first step in overcoming quarter-life is to stop comparing yourself to others, especially on social media.
“Don’t compare your bloopers to someone else’s highlights,” Trotter cautions.
“Everyone is moving at a speed that suits them. You know what’s happening with you, but you don’t know what’s happening [with them], so there’s no need to compare.”
Salazar advises identifying and implementing regular routines that give you a sense of stability. The consistency of a regular ritual, whether it’s a weekly phone conversation with a friend or a workout regimen you enjoy, can help you feel more in charge of your life, she says.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything fancy or expensive,” explains Salazar. “Something consistent, usually, helps keep us anchored during a period of life that feels like everything around us is sort of ambiguous and chaotic.”
Salazar also strongly advises getting in touch with a mental health specialist, such as a therapist, who is qualified to assist you in overcoming obstacles.
“The quarter-life crisis of one individual is not that of another. Depending on what you’re managing, it might truly seem different,” she says.
In that sense, therapy can be quite beneficial for the development of insights and analysis. Developing the ability to handle more specialized symptoms that may accompany a quarter-life crisis might also be beneficial.
Do you want to communicate effectively and with confidence?Enroll in CNBC’s online course, Master Public Speaking: Become an Effective Communicator. To make a good first impression, we’ll teach you how to speak confidently and clearly, relax, know what to say and what not to say, and use body language.Start now.
Additionally, subscribe to CNBC Make It’s weekly to receive advice on how to succeed in your career, finances, and personal life. You can also ask to join our exclusive LinkedIn club to network with peers and professionals.
Also on CNBC
-
Survey: By 8:30 AM, most Americans know if it’ll be a good day
-
Are 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day too much? It’s complicated, experts say
-
Nutritionist: I visited a Costco in Japan 6 ‘longevity foods’ I couldn’t leave without buying
