We have all heard about a midlife crisis that hits people in their late 40s and 50s, however we are hearing more and more about the idea of a quarter life crisis. So what is this thing and is it real?

People often imagine your 20s and 30s to be the high points of your life. At this time you generally have minimal responsibilities, good health and an incredible array of options to pursue. However, this is also a time of great conflict and turmoil. Important decisions need to be made, comparisons between others progressing ahead of you happen and our own mental health can take a toll.

Many people at this stage of life find that they are experiencing uncertainty about the future and increased anxiety about the world around them. This could be related to things like social media and climate change, or questions around work success and relationships. It’s quite common for people to feel uninspired, trapped and very confused during this time in their lives.

This commonly cause stress and could lead to a quarter life crisis include job searching or career planning, living without family or parents for the first time, understanding how to navigate both romantic and platonic relationships as well as making decisions that could affect your life in the long-run.

So if you’re in your 20s or 30s and feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t underestimate your feelings.