Does Parenthood in the Twenties Trigger a “Quarter-Life Crisis”?

A “quarter-life crisis,” to me feels like a \”midlife crisis\” in the twenties. It is a monster I have been struggling with throughout my mid-twenties and now in my late twenties. When I look back, it all began in my early twenties when I became a parent. This led to a question that I would like to explore with you today; Does parenthood in the twenties triggers “a quarter-life crisis?

Parenthood in my twenties has been an awakening, an escape, a responsibility, a dilemma, chaos, an adventure, mission impossible, a learning platform, and a fulfilment that I never thought would be. Confusing right? It is a mixed feeling. My twenties have passed in the blink of an eye because I have been occupied by parenthood for the last six years. Well, let us just call it a blessing in disguise. As I said in the beginning, it has brought up a crisis that feels like \”midlife crisis\” in my twenties.

These crisis makes it feel like everyone else has their life figured out, with their careers shining high on their linked-in profiles, wedding and family pictures flashing on Instagram, and businesses they have started selling well on social media. Then there is me, struggling to figure out career and business while maintaining a flexible work-life balance to experience intentional and present parenting. Why the struggle you may ask? Because I believe if I was not to be an intentional and present parent to my child then I should not have had the child.

What are the crises that resemble a midlife crisis?

A Quarter-Life Crisis in Reality

The Double Role of Being a Parent and a Young Adult

A quarter-life crisis is a deeply challenging experience, often characterized by intense soul-searching and overwhelming stress in your twenties to thirties, frequently triggered by the pressures of stepping into adulthood. It\’s a time filled with insecurity, lower confidence, and a persistent sense of doubt and disappointment, particularly concerning your career, love life, and financial situation. For young parents, these feelings can be magnified as they navigate the complexities of raising children while simultaneously trying to define their identities and careers, making it a particularly demanding phase of life.

Being a parent in your twenties puts a whole new face on the quarter-life crisis. On one hand, being a parent is an experience imminently full of rewards; you obtain joy and fulfillment that is otherwise hard to find. On the other hand, it means an entirely new glued-up responsibility and thrust-up of stress into your life when you are already trying to find who you are and what to do with your life.

Parenthood is quite demanding, both in terms of time and commitment to the child, and it can leave young parents striving to fill the role of their child, but also bring to life their individual dreams. This could result in feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt, mainly because, very often, most young parents are unable to measure up to societal expectations and their set goals.

The Pressure to Achieve

Social media increases the pressure to achieve. From Instagram to LinkedIn, everyone appears to be living out their dreams effortlessly. For a young parent, it feels like everyone else is making a career jump, seeing the world, and living their life to the fullest. This comparison game might set off anxiety and feelings of inadequacy, hence making the quarter-life crisis more pronounced.

The Financial Strain

Raising a child is very expensive, and most young parents have financial constraints. Balancing money between childcare, education, healthcare, and everyday expenses while trying to save proves to be overbearing.

This causes more pressure with increased stress and uncertainty weighing on young parents as they provide while still struggling to meet their financial goals.

Identity Crisis

More often than not, parenthood brings wastage of time for young parents whose life all of a sudden takes a full spin just around their children. This becomes disorienting at times, and one may encounter an identity crisis while balancing past aspirations with the current reality. They will question their life choices, wonder what could have been, and feel uncertain about their future direction.

How do you Finding Balance and Fulfillment?

Despite the challenges, being a parent in your twenties can also be a great time of growth and fulfilment. It forces young parents to attain the most basic skills of time management, resilience, and empathy. Besides, parenthood combines a sense of purpose and meaning that is significantly satisfying. However, balance and self-care become important for crossing this age.

How do you balance if your already a parent?

• As a parent in your twenties, you should understand that it is completely okay to look for help and take breaks.
• Build a positive support structures from family, friends, or other young parents which will help you with emotional and practical needs.
• Setting realistic goals and expectations for self and career will remove some pressure and tension.
• It is also important that you find some time for yourself to pursue your interests and passions. This can come in the form of a hobby, further education, or professional growth for them to be identified with something other than being a parent.

Conclusion

While becoming a parent in your twenties is enough to trigger the \”Quarter-Life Crisis\”, it\’s also a form of growth and knowing yourself much better. The best way to approach it is to walk the journey full of ups and downs with an open heart, extend your arms to support, and keep self-care on top of the list. This way, you may navigate through this difficult period in good shape and live as a much stronger and more fulfilling person.