As featured in The Mirror 01.02.2025
Increasing numbers of young adults are experiencing what they call a ‘quarter-life-crisis’.
Forget the mid-life-crisis stereotypes of a middle aged man buying a sports-car in his 50s. Now people in their 20s are struggling with life transitions and understanding world, and who they are within it.
Culturally the concept and transition to adulthood has changed and become longer than for past generations. Emerging adulthood is now not a transition stage but a full developmental phase that lasts from18 years to about age 29 years of age. Whereas in say the 1970s, people were in full time work, married and having their first child by 25, these traditionally ‘Big’ life events are happening up to 10 years later than in the 1970s.
In the present day, people in their 20s are still learning about their identity – who are they, what is their place in the world, what do they want to do with their life.
It is also a stage of great instability in terms of their environment, as people figure out who they are they are also navigating an ever changing employment and economic landscapes.
It is no surprise then that more half of emerging adults often experience anxiety, and a third report often feeling depressed. Even if this is not a clinical diagnosis, more complex living environments twinned with expectations that do not align with changing society can lead to more stress and negative impacts on mental wellbeing.
Though this period of life seems defined by uncertainty, it can also present a lot of opportunities. Having more time as an emerging adult allows for exploration, learning, and self-understanding, that can ultimately lead to more intentional life choices. Rather than viewing this stage as a crisis to be fixed, it may be more helpful to recognise it as a normal part of modern development.
A good way to navigate this new season of life is to ensure you have good social support, realistic expectations, and have open conversations with people around you. Ask for advice, help and support. Take time to make decisions and reflect on their outcomes.
By acknowledging the challenges of emerging adulthood and reframing them as part of a longer journey toward self-understanding, society can help reduce negative views of emerging adulthood and empower young people to find meaning and resilience in the face of change.
Emma Palmer-Cooper 