Synopses & Reviews
While the midlife crisis has been thoroughly explored by experts, there is another landmine period in our adult development, called the quarterlife crisis, which can be just as devastating. When young adults emerge at graduation from almost two decades of schooling, during which each step to take is clearly marked, they encounter an overwhelming number of choices regarding their careers, finances, homes, and social networks. Confronted by an often shattering whirlwind of new responsibilities, new liberties, and new options, they feel helpless, panicked, indecisive, and apprehensive.
Quarterlife Crisis is the first book to document this phenomenon and offer insightful advice on smoothly navigating the challenging transition from childhood to adulthood, from school to the world beyond. It includes the personal stories of more than one hundred twentysomethings who describe their struggles to carve out personal identities; to cope with their fears of failure; to face making choices rather than avoiding them; and to balance all the demanding aspects of personal and professional life. From "What do all my doubts mean?" to "How do I know if the decisions I'm making are right?" this book compellingly addresses the hardest questions facing young adults today.
Review
"Although Quarterlife Crisis doesn't contain all the answers that people in their twenties are looking for, it does feature helpful stories they can relate to." Booklist
Review
"The worst year of my life was 26. The second-worst was 24. I had no idea, until now, that my funky period was part of a larger pattern. Finally, a book that explains my quarterlife crisis." Joe Klein, author of Primary Colors
Review
"[W]hile the book may not have all the answers for members of generation-Y, it at least provides proof that they're not alone in feeling pressured, depressed or disappointed." Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Robbins, a contributing editor at
Mademoiselle, is a journalist who has written for such publications as the
New Yorker, the
Atlantic Monthly, the
Washington Post,
Salon, and
Time Digital.
Abby Wilner works in the information technology field as a website administrator and lives in Washington, D.C.
Table of Contents
Introduction: What Is the Quarterlife Crisis?
Why Worry About a Quarterlife Crisis?
How Do You Recognize a Quarterlife Crisis?
What Do You Do About the Quarterlife Crisis?
One: How Am I Supposed to Figure Out Who I Really Am?
"So, What Do You Do?"
What Now?
Compromising Positions
Finding a Passion
Keeping the Faith
Trial and Error
Changing Their Minds
Job-Hopping
Constant Evolution
Two: What If I'm Scared to Stop Being a Kid?
End of the Innocence
Are We There Yet?
The Parent Trap
Inescapable Influence
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Three: What If I Fail?
Ready, Set, Fail
Going After the Dream
Abort Mission
Plan B
Advice from the Pros
Four: What Do All of These Doubts Mean?
Doubts and Questions
Working Problems
Social Adjustments
Overwhelming Factors
Anchors Aweigh
Dashed Expectations
Paradise Lost
Trying Out Therapy
Brushing It Off
Five: How Do I Know If the Decisions I'm Making Are the Right Ones?
Moving Right Along
How Do I Know If I'm Sure About Somebody?
Gut Instinct
Gray Matter
Going with It
Six: How Do I Work Out the Right Balance Among My Career, Friends, Family, and Romance?
Stuff Happens
Work Won't Make You Coffee in the Morning
When Love Comes to Town
Stress Fractures
The Balancing Act
Seven: Can I Carry Any Part of My College Experience into the Real World?
Six Degrees of Separation
Batting for the Majors
Look at All the Lonely People
Lifestyle Changes
Continuing Education
What You Can Take with You
Conclusion
Topical Index