slowing down

 ”Do you think we’re having a quarterlife crisis?”  Ami texted me this morning as a continuation of our 30-minute cellphone conversation yesterday. 

I’ve been having some issues lately which not even my closest friends are privy to.  After two weeks of a relative diet from nicotine, I puffed three in a row yesterday while I was having a down moment.  I wanted to call my sister but she has too much on her mind right now to deal with my woes.  So I called Ami instead (poor her :p).  She was having some issues herself so I thought, who better to talk to?

I was already poised to for some Google time but Ami beat me to it.  She sent me an email perfectly describing what we’re going through.  Wikipedia describes “quarterlife crisis” as:

The  term applied to the period of life immediately following the major changes of adolescence, usually ranging from the ages of 21 - 29.

Characteristics of quarter-life crisis may include:

• feeling “not good enough” because one can’t find a job that is at one’s academic/intellectual level
• frustration with relationships, the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
• confusion of identity -Check! 
• insecurity regarding the near future -Check!
• insecurity concerning long-term plans, life goals -Check!
• insecurity regarding present accomplishments -Check!
• re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
• disappointment with one’s job
• nostalgia for university, college, high school, or elementary life  -Check!
• tendency to hold stronger opinions
• boredom with social interactions -In my case, I now prefer sleepovers and out of town trips over gimik nights out (calling Peter and Jen!)  Oh, but this excludes the upcoming Eraserheads reunion (woohoo!).  More on that later
• loss of closeness to high school and college friends
• financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipatedly high cost of living, etc.)  -Check!
• loneliness
• desire to have children -Uh, NO.  But I am madly in love with Danielle
• a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you.  -Check! 

Wow, that made sense.  And it made me feel a lot better to know that I’m not alone in the world haha.  I’d explain each characteristic I’m feeling but that’d take a whole webpage :p

But for whatever it’s worth, there’s an upside to this quarterlife thingie I’m having.

Last night, I was told I’m to receive a big fat paycheck for one my rakets.  And instead of  canvassing for specs of the next gadget on my wishlist, my immediate thoughts were of my personal savings.  I’m handling money more wisely now.  And I’m pretty damn proud of myself *pats self on the back*

I’ve acquired a love for the seven-peso vendo machine instead of flushing a hundred bucks for a grande macchiato at Starbucks. 

Friday nights are now spent at a friend’s house (which means less gastos and more quality time) and weekends are spent with my adorable imps and my loony family.

Ami and I wondered how long it would take for us to get pass this stage.  Or I’m thinking, maybe it’s just a state of mind.  After all, perspective has a lot to do with happiness.

So for everyone else my age who’s experience any of the abovementioned symptoms, fret not.  You’re not alone   And crisis or not, don’t forget to flip yer hair   Now THAT’s one thing I know I’m good at.

Ami and I.  Quarterlife crisis chicks.  Haha!