Quarterlife Crisis: You’re not the only one feeling like this (20 year olds)

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Ok, everyone has heard of the midlife crisis. Bald men buy red-hot convertibles, couples married for years have affairs, and many people just plain have a nervous breakdown. But a quarterlife crisis? What's that, you ask. The Quarterlife crisis is common among 20-somethings. They have recently graduated college, entered the work force (hopefully), and are encountering the "real world". This can be a very challenging time in one's life. They have been in school for most of their lives, lived by a set list of rules, and most did not have to worry about finances. Then, bam! All of the sudden life hits them in the face. There are not set rules, goals, or certain ways to do things. There is more than one path to take, and many forks in the road. Now, they have to become financially independent. All the wonderful friends made in college have dispersed and gone on with their own prospective lives. Suddenly, there is a sense of loneliness, bewilderment, and confusion. Where is my life headed?, they ask. The 20-something is no longer a child and they must adapt to that fact. It can be a very confusing time in one's life. The quarterlife crisis, until recently, had no name, and was not widely recognized as a problem. It was very hush-hush. No one talked about, therefore 20-somethings felt they were the only one having this problem. Why am I feeling this way?? ?There must be something wrong. I have to snap out of this.? Those were common feelings of people who had not realized this really was a widespread feeling among this age group. Luckly, 20-somethings, or quarterlife crisesers (is that a word? I don't know ;) ) no longer feel they are alone. Alexandra Robbins and Abbey Wilner, both 20-somethings, wrote a book about this called : Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties. They make note of the previously overlooked period of life between college graduation and turning 30, when one is trying to find their place in the world. According to Robbins and Wilner this crisis tends to occur after graduation when one's life no longer has as much structure and it is time to look for that job, apartment, manage finances, and form social niches. This book is helpful because it shows young people that they are not the only one facing these new issues and struggling with balancing all the new obligations and responsibilities. The book starts out describing what the quarterlife crisis is, common thoughts and feelings, and the high prevalence among people in this period of their life. Through out the book many 20-somethings from around the country are quoted, and tell their experiences, thoughts, feelings, and advice. The book is well organized, humorous, and insightful. I first heard about the book from the Today show when Katie Couric interviewed the authors. I ran out and tried to find the book the same day. It was hard to find, because it was sold out. I finally found the last copy at Borders. But, now it is available on Amazon as well - both new and used. I highly recommend this book to recent graduates, and their families. This book made sense of the feelings I had and helped me to cope with them.