I’M 22 AND GOING THROUGH A QUARTER LIFE CRISIS


What the hell am I doing with my life? I ask myself as I twiddle my thumbs.

Source: My Facebook Page.

Okay, so let me get this straight once and for all: 21 is fun. 22 is just plain scary.

A few months before my birthday, I would tease my mom, telling her I was “almost 22” just to see her (hilarious, yet) fearful motherly reaction. It wasn’t until a few days before my birthday that I realized I also wasn’t ready for this milestone in my life either.

At first, I was excited. Actually, scratch that — no I wasn’t.

Turning 22 was never on my bucket list. It was never a life goal. But the next thing I knew, I was sitting at my celebratory birthday dinner on the night of my 22nd birthday; pondering on how my original plan to “stay 21 forever” could have possibly been foiled so seamlessly.

“Maybe that leap year threw me off? Was there a leap year?! Maybe I fell asleep for too long and missed a few days of personal growth? I am NOT ready to be adult!” I thought.

The scariest thing about turning 22 is just really being in my twenties now. I’m aware that this is one of the most pivotal decades in ones’ life, and the last thing I want is to look back and realize that I wasted precious time.

Because of this, I often have feel an underlying sense of urgency; this pressure that I must attain (insert achievement) by (insert unrealistic date in near future).

Me “Adulting” — I think?

There is so much responsibility that comes with being an adult. And It can be overwhelming, man!

At this age, the whole “I am only (insert age) years old!” days are over. Instead, dialogue starts to become: “You are 22 years old, act your age/make better decisions/figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life.”

Source: Somewhere on Pinterest

And that’s why I’m having a quarter life crisis. I now have to take responsibility for my life, but still feel so unsure of who I am and what I want to do from now until forever. I still feel young and confused (and 21) on the inside.

But I think that’s what being a “20-something” is all about. You’re right, maybe I don’t know what I want to do forever — but I do know what I want to do right now. And I think that’s all that matters.


At 22, we’re supposed to feel vulnerable. We’re supposed to make mistakes and grow and feel stupid and silly in the process. I mean, that’s what makes being a “20-something” so interesting.

So for the rest of the 22 year olds out there also going through a quarter life crisis (because I know I am not alone). I have one thing to say:


Try not to worry. Try to believe in yourself and your ability. Try not to fight the feeling of instability that we all experience. In fact, embrace the confusion and use it as fuel to figure out what makes your world go round.

And remember to follow your passion, man. Because no matter what, this decade will be full of uncertainty. Might as well spend your time doing something you love while simultaneously experiencing those “Oh shit, what am I doing with my life right now” moments.

I can’t speak for everyone — because we all want different things out of life. But I know that I want to travel, grow, learn, and make all sorts of mistakes in the process.


I want to create things and leave an imprint wherever I go.

I want to fully embrace the confusion I’m feeling instead of running away from it and into something that seems stable or promising even if I don’t love it.

I just want to live. And enjoy and accept every moment that comes my way.

So to all of those electrifying, ambitious, and a little nervous 22 year olds out there : Don’t forget that if anyones’ “got this” it’s us. Grab life by the horns and enjoy the ride, man.