Midlife Crisis: Gen Z Faces Pressure from Work, Love, and Life
Many young people in Generation Z, aged 20 to 35, are going through a period of stress, anxiety and self-doubt known as the quarter-life crisis.
Gen Z and the Quarterback Crisis: “Nobody Taught Us How to Live”
Many people have described their 20s as the best time of their lives. But Gen Z, who are currently between the ages of 20 and 35, are actually going in a completely different direction.
The pressure to define oneself, start a career, live independently, combined with economic instability, environmental crisis, global conflict and the influence of social media make life more confusing and uncontrollable than ever.
Recent data shows that only 17% of Americans under 30 have strong social connections. The 18-25 age group, once considered the happiest on the famous U-curve of happiness, now reports lower levels of satisfaction than those in their 40s and 50s, in part due to the negative influence of social media.
Social and economic pressures
Gen Z faces pressure to shape themselves, start a career and achieve financial independence, amid global crises such as economic instability, geopolitical conflicts and climate change.
Sadie Salazar, therapist and COO of Sage Therapy, said the world is “messy and difficult” for young people right now, with many expectations placed on them. The tough job market, especially in industries like tech, makes finding stable work even more difficult.
Emotions in the Midlife Crisis
According to Jasmine Trotter, a Gen Z therapist at Wild Cactus Therapy, the midlife crisis brings with it a lot of heavy emotions. Young people may:
Feeling pressured to find purpose in life
Experiencing stress or anxiety
Having difficulty making big decisions like choosing where to live or starting a family
Disappointed with current position in life
Overwhelmed trying to balance finances
Facing the sadness of letting go of the old version of yourself to enter adulthood
How to get through this uncertain period?
Experts recommend specific strategies to help young people stabilize their emotions and regain direction:
1. Don't compare yourself with others
“Don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel,” Trotter emphasizes. “Everyone’s journey is different, and social media only shows the tip of the iceberg.
2. Establish a daily routine
Salazar says that maintaining a routine like exercising, calling a friend once a week, or writing in a journal can help you feel in control of your life. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be consistent.”
3. See a psychologist if necessary
Psychotherapy not only helps you gain clarity, but also helps you build skills to cope with stress. Everyone’s experiences are different, so a personalized approach is needed.
