My Wave: Millenials face the quarter-life crisis

A QUARTER-life crisis is what we millenials or Gen Z (even though they aren’t there yet) regard as a period of uncertainty in our lives or a time where we don’t have a sense of any direction. According to studies, this arrives at an age of 26.

Many young people who experience this strange version of a mid-life crisis have done or experienced things far too early than they should have.

Things like getting married a weird age like 21 or having a baby at before 25 (God forbid), you can add people that have been in long relationships at an age where they’re probably should be as carefree and as reckless as possible.

The quarter life crisis can also be linked to many things like poor mental health, financial issues and according to Varci Vartanian on The Muse (a website), most young people that go through this feel as if they haven’t fulfilled their potential.

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This is something that probably affects millenials that were brilliant academics or athletes both in high school and university; the athletes that peaked in their schooling years probably have the hardest time when experiencing this.

I always think about the ones that played at an elite level in rugby for example, the athletes who played for South African Schools and always tell ancient tales about how they side-stepped a player who’s currently earning double their salary, playing the same sport?

I’ve heard so many of these stories at the pub I work at, Stokers Arms. The one guy who was clearly at a point of no return that night said he once benched, Tendai

“The Beast” Mtawarira at Collegians, “My bru I was juicing back then and Beast and I were playing the same position. I’m sure I bounced him the one practice?” said Tim or I think his name was Tom? could be a Trevor, I don’t know, but he was the first person that spoke to me about this quarter life crisis thing.

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I remember him saying how he reached a massive low when he realised that he won’t make it in professional rugby and how he had regrets etc.

I spoke to two millennials, who are over 30 about this crisis.

Ayabonga Mtshali said: I don’t know when it actually happened but I know I’ve experienced it because you study for years, I have two degrees, one being an Honours in accounting then straight into work. One year I was at my office Christmas party and thought about how I’m in the exact same position I was the year before, yeah I’ve grown in the company but that’s just more money.I want fulfillment.”

Katherine Kali said: “For me it was becoming a single mom and breaking out of the conventional nuclear family and redefining what family is to me – was a big one. That’s been the scariest and the most fulfilling journey I think.”

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