The quarterlife crisis

The quarterlife crisis is a period of life following the major changes of adolescence usually ranging from the late teens to the early thirties, in which a person begins to feel doubtful about their own lives, brought on by the stress of becoming an adult. The term was coined by analogy with mid-life crisis.

The quarter-life crisis occurs shortly after a young person enters the "real world".

Erik H. Erikson, who proposed eight crises that humans face during their development, proposed the existence of a life crisis occurring at this age. The conflict he associated with young adulthood is the Intimacy vs. Isolation crisis. According to him, after establishing a personal identity in adolescence, young adults seek to form intense, usually romantic relationships with other people.

People experiencing a quarter life crisis often feel "lost, scared, lonely or confused" about what steps to take in order to transition properly into adulthood. Studies have shown that unemployment and the idea of not being able to find a job is a major cause for young people to undergo stress or anxiety. Early stages of a person living on their own for the first time and learning to cope without parental help can also induce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

The quarter-life crisis is a growing phenomenon that affects 73% of people aged 26-30, according research presented in the Daily Mail.

Here's what the afflicted go through, psychologist Dr. Oliver Robinson told The Guardian:

Phase 1 is defined by feeling "locked in" to a job or relationship, or both. "It's an illusory sense of being trapped," he said.

Phase 2 is typified by a growing sense that change is possible. "This mental and physical separation from previous commitments leads to all sorts of emotional upheavals. It allows exploration of new possibilities with a closer link to interests, preferences and sense of self.

"A minority of participants described getting caught in a loop, but the majority reflected on a difficult time which was a catalyst for important positive change."

Phase 3 is a period of rebuilding a new life.

Phase 4 is the cementing of fresh commitments that reflect the young person's new interests, aspirations and values.

A bad economy is one reason for the growing trend. On the whole, young people are much more stressed than previous generations were. They leave university saddled with debt, life is more expensive, and it's harder to get on the property ladder. That is why we are seeing this epidemic.

Consumer society: shopaholism

There are a lot of reasons as to why people turn into shopaholics. It may be because of stress. At times, when you are stressed, facing a period of anxiety or depression, then you may turn to excessive shopping to divert your attention and from some people's point of view, to keep yourselves busy while others become a target of nervousness and consciousness. What happens is that you think purchasing new outfits or accessories will give you a confidence bookstand you will assimilate in your surroundings properly. You may also shop to keep up with trends set up by celebrities.

Though all these reasons may seem reasonable to some of you and may even make you feel sympathetic towards a shopaholic but it is not an excuse to get away with. It is a complete waste of time and space. Just think of many other ways in which you could be spending this time: doing something useful, helping others out or getting your chores done. Shopaholics usually shop till they drop. This means it is also very tiring and unhealthy physically as well as mentally. It also makes you extra emotional, for example, "if I don't get that so-very-awesome Gucci boots; my life is so over" kind of thing. You even face financial difficulties. This, by the way, in turn causes stress and depression. It happen when you are overloaded with debts and are unable to pay them.

Although it is a universal problem, it is very common in developed countries. You may start becoming a shopaholic when you think "you can't live without those so-very-awesome Gucci boots."

You can only get over it by controlling your desires. You can do that by starting to criticize something you wish to purchase. For example, "those so-very-awesome Gucci boots are so very old and outdated." You can keep reminding yourselves of its advantages and disadvantages constantly. In this manner, you just might be able to stop yourselves from becoming a shopaholic. It may be hard in the beginning but it will turn out alright in the end.