When we encounter difficulties, our instinct may be to run away and to avoid the mess altogether. Engaging with our problems can unearth a whirlwind of uncomfortable emotions—frustration, depression, anger, and tears may become constant companions.
However your feelings are trying to communicate something important to you. So the answer is to embrace your feelings. Take the time to reflect on what they might be telling you about the areas in your life that need attention.
It’s important to recognize that the progress lies in our ability to engage with our problems head-on.
The reality is that the longer we ignore the problem, the longer we remain trapped. In order to move towards the life we desire, we must muster the courage to confront the challenges before us, regardless of how we feel.
How do I solve the problems I’m facing during quarter-life crisis?
Writing down the problems and using a problem-solving sheet is an effective way to organize your thoughts and explore potential solutions. In the face of a complex problem, relying solely on the limited capacity of our minds can be a hindrance to finding out of what it is that is even frustrating us. So it’s best for you to work in a text document, or paper if you like.
1. Ask yourself questions: Understand why you are stuck
Once you have defined the problem, it is important to ask questions. Problems usually arise from a lack of knowledge/skill and acquiring knowledge and skills is key to finding answers. Questions will help you uncover what you don’t know and what you need to know in order to make progress.
2. Define your problem with the question: What is my problem?
Without defining the problem, you can’t know where to look, therefore you can’t find the solution. This step is crucial for identifying the source of frustration or dissatisfaction.
You can begin by reflecting on the aspects of your life that leave you feeling unsatisfied. Is it your career? Take a closer look at what you dislike about it. Is it the work itself, the industry, or the lack of fulfillment it brings? Identifying the areas of discontent will guide you towards what you need to improve to make yourself happy.
Ask yourself, “What are my problems?” or “What am I dissatisfied”, “What do I hate in my life right now?” and the answers might look like:
- I am dissatisfied with my current job.
- I lack a clear direction in my life.
- I feel older and less accomplished compared to the younger generation, making me unsure about finding a job.
- I am unhappy with the city or place I live in.
- My financial situation is causing me stress and dissatisfaction.
- I feel a lack of meaningful connections and friendships.
- I have gained weight and feel insecure about my appearance.
As you progress, you might come up with additional ideas to add to your list.
By now, you should have a better understanding of what is causing your feelings of depression and frustration. The next step is to focus on finding a solution.
3. Define possible answers
Writing down your thoughts and exploring possible solutions is the first step towards gaining clarity on what you need to do. It is important to write down every answer that comes to mind when addressing the problems of your quarter-life crisis. The ideas can be sorted out and organized later. Also remember, this is just an example, and your problem-solving sheet should reflect your unique situation.
Here’s an example of how the problem-solving sheet could look like:
Problem: I don’t like my job
Answer/Possible Solutions:
- Take a job as a trainee to gain new skills and explore different career paths.
- Engage in reeducation through free online courses with certificates to acquire new knowledge and skills that can open up job opportunities.
- Research other educational opportunities and programs that align with your interests and desired career path.
- Create a list of your interests or potential areas of interest and explore them further to find a direction that excites you.
- Gather information about industries or fields that align with your interests and research potential career paths within those areas.
- Seek advice from career counselors, mentors, or professionals in the fields you’re interested in to gain insights and guidance.
- Go to events and network with professionals in industries that interest you to learn more about their experiences and potential opportunities.
4. Troubleshoot your life: Weed out the answers
What is troubleshooting?
Troubleshooting is a common practice in the technical field, particularly when faced with problems that lack a definitive answer or clear cause. In many cases, the same error can have multiple underlying causes, and even similar software problems may require different solutions. Therefore, troubleshooting involves considering several possible answers and systematically eliminating them until the error is resolved.
Prioritizing your potential answers is crucial before embarking on the troubleshooting process.
Once you have prioritized your answers, it’s time to dive into the troubleshooting process. This typically involves testing each potential solution one by one and carefully observing the outcomes. If a particular solution does not resolve the problem, it is eliminated, and you move on to the next option. This iterative approach allows you to systematically weed out incorrect answers until you find the right one.
It is often a process of trial and error, where you learn from each attempt and refine your approach accordingly. However by prioritizing your answers and diligently troubleshooting, you increase the likelihood of finding the root cause and implementing an effective solution.
