5 Steps for Surviving a Quarter Life Crisis

Have you ever heard of Saturn’s Return? I know, me neither. I sure wish I knew what it was a few years ago though. It might have made things a hell of a lot easier.

Though most of us have never heard of it, I guarantee you have either been through it, are about to get blasted with it, or you are currently buried alive in the trenches of the infamous Saturn’s Return.

Alright, Guy… What Is It?

In short, it’s the astrological term for “Quarter Life Crisis.” It’s the period in your life when the universe decides it’s your turn to go through the ringer.

Basically, every 27 to 29 years, Saturn completes its orbit around the sun and returns to the same zodiac sign it was in when you graced us with your presence at birth.

Your very first Saturn Return, which usually happens between the ages of 26 and 30 (but not always), is a defining season of your life. It’s a metaphorical rebirth advancing you into a new stage of adulthood.

This period of your life is brutal. I won’t sit here and sugar coat it. It will break you, shake you, and flip your entire universe upside down. You will come face to face with demons you didn’t know existed and be forced to look them dead in the eye.

I know this because I experienced my own Saturn’s Return and lived to talk about it…barely.

Ryan 1, Saturn 0.

I’ll never forget the day when my rock bottom came and my entire universe crumbled around me. It was on that day when I was at my lowest of lows and had absolutely nothing in my life except for a mountain of problems.

That was the day I decided to change my life. That was the day I decided it was time to move on and be the person I always dreamed of becoming. It was time for me stop depending on everyone else for my happiness and finally stand on my own two feet.

That was the day I began my Peace Quest.

I rolled up my sleeves, put down my head and plowed through it. And boy was it rewarding once I finally did.

So, how do you organize a space party? You planet. And plan we shall 

Here are 5 steps for Surviving a Quarter Life Crisis.

1. Find Your Purpose

You will not find Peace until you find Purpose.

I started on my quest with little knowledge of what my Purpose was and how I was going to find it. I was lost. The only thing I knew about my life was all the things I did not like about it.

My initial thought, torch it. But, saner minds prevailed.

Purpose, by definition, is: “the reason for which something is done or created…or for which something exists.” We all need purpose. Living without a sense of purpose is not living at all. Whatever your craft may be, we all have the urge to be useful in some way or another. Living as though we are making no difference in the world will only lead us to unhappiness. Understanding what your purpose is and why you are here will bring a fulfilling clarity to your life.

If you need some help with this one, shoot me an email or leave a comment below. I have the perfect exercise to help give you some clarity J

2. Escape Your Past

Escape, by definition (seeing a trend here), is: “an act of breaking free from confinement or control…” Notice how this says ‘breaking free,’ and not ‘forgetting all together’ or ‘completely avoiding.’

We all have pasts in which I’m sure we are not proud of (I know I do), but it’s what we do with our pasts that will define our future. We need to learn how to let go and open up about our pasts so it can lead us to freedom.

I have another great exercise for you if you need some help with this step.

3. Take Action

Side note – In case you were unaware, Tony is the man.

Okay, back to it. Action, by definition, is: “the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve aim.” So, ready…aim…fire! Taking action involves designing a plan for what your life will look like. It will be your road-map and guide to living the life you’ve always wanted.

There’s one exercise I did in particular that stands out for this one. Leave a comment below and I’ll gladly share it with you.

4. Change Your Autopilot

I mean we’ve come this far…Change, by definition is: “the act or instance of making or becoming different.” We all need to change and become different if we want to grow.

If you want to drastically change your life, you must make drastic changes in your life. That means drastically changing your habits, developing a road map to success, and sticking to a regimented schedule.

Don’t Conform. Transform.

5. Learn how to be Empathetic.

Empathetic is not pathetic.

Yep, you guessed it… Empathy, by definition, is: “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” It is the full capability of you to be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and view things from their perspective. It is understanding the feelings of what that person is going through and trying to find ways in which you can help them.

If you need help with this one, go to Barnes and Noble and buy the book, “Being Nice to People for Dummies” 

That, my friends, is my 5 step process to finding peace.

And yes, for those of you paying attention…those five steps spell P.E.A.C.E.

Though I am still fighting my demons, I am finally at peace with the person I have become…and that has made all the difference.

I’m certainly not perfect (by any means), but at least I know I can kick Saturn’s ass.

Looks like it’s “Ryan’s Return” now. Saturn, go home…you’re drunk.

#Lost20Something