Surviving Your Quarter Life Crisis (as told by Disney Characters)

We’ve all heard of a mid-life crisis – that point between 45-55 when you realize you’re no longer young, so you go out and buy a Corvette or a Harley with the money you’ve made in the past 25 years. Call me crazy, but that sounds like a pretty nice crisis.

I, however, am in the middle of my quarter life crisis. And guess what? It doesn’t end with a shiny new car.

Signs Your Having a Quarter Life Crisis: 

1. Bills sneak up on you unexpectedly.
   
2. You find yourself second guessing your career choice.
   
3. It’s no longer acceptable to respond “I’m so sorry,” to pregnancy announcements.
   
4. You spend hours looking at houses on Zillow from your bed in your parents basement.
   
5. Crying about your situation becomes a weekly occurrence.
   

Sound familiar? Don’t worry – you can get through it.

• Don’t beat yourself up and don’t compare yourself to others. Your friend in law school may make triple your teaching salary, but don’t forget the struggles (and case briefs) you’ve avoided.
  
• Talk to anyone who will listen. Find a mentor (or a group of them) and ask questions. Have one too many margaritas with the girls while being vocal about your love life (or lack there of). Call your boyfriend at 2am and debate whether or not you should go to grad school. That’s what friends are for.
  
• Lie a little. Do you have your dream job? No, but does your grandma need to know the most important task you have is to make coffee? Absolutely not.
  
• Take time for yourself. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a mani/pedi or a chilled glass of wine, leave yourself enough time to relax.
  
• Remember, it will all be over soon.