Life’s harsh, and it has subtle and discreet ways of letting you know that you’re doing everything wrong. Remember that time during your teenage years wherein you think that once you’ve graduated from college, life will be a breeze and you thought you’d end up working in the Fortune 500 world?
If yes, then you’re probably thinking of how stupid you were to think that the world is based on a typical Disney story. It’s not, but hey, you probably know that by now. Regardless, if you’re reading this, your life’s journey is probably enshrouded in thick fog, and you don’t know which way you’re heading. So, let’s cut to the chase and learn the signs which tell that you are in a major life crisis:
1) You’re Daydreaming Way Too Much
Daydreaming is a reprieve from reality, whether it’s during the shower, a few minutes before bed, or while you’re on the train. Though it’s not an awful habit, doing it way too much hurts, and it means that you’re severely unhappy. There is a term (though not recognized in the field of medicine) for it, called maladaptive daydreaming.
What you’re daydreaming about also counts. Let’s say you’re a 24-year-old advertising associate who dreams of winning the lottery, striking it rich, and retiring to a quiet suburb at 30, at the same time as paying off student loans, living off a mediocre salary, and a less than stellar social life.
In this case, it’s a sign your life is without progress and you don’t have any long-term goals (to be discussed later). Whether you’re banking on stumbling on a magical lamp with a genie or waking up in the morning and discovering you have some type of superpower, daydreaming too much takes up too much real estate on your mind. In its place, focus more on crafting your long-term desires and methods to make them come to fruition.
2) You’re Escaping from Reality
You’ve realized that you are stuck in the pits, and you experience everything sucks. Subtle and safe examples of escape mediums include playing video games, watching TV shows, and anime remotely close to what you need your life to be. Even studying novels can be considered an escape.
Dangerous forms contain destructive habits, which include drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, or worse, drugs. Other than what you’re doing, you’re also WISHING something occurs that will magically erase all your problems. Some are fun, fantasy-fueled, and harmless, while others can be horrifying. These consist of:
Wishing for a zombie apocalypse. Admit it, you’ve needed that something like this would happen at some point. Get involved in a car crash that would give you millions of dollars in compensation (without dropping a limb or two). Wishes of you waking up in a hospital bed post-coma with no recollection of who you are. Worse, you’re looking to PRETEND that you have amnesia.
An alien spaceship kidnapping you. While “imprisoned” you’re suddenly told that you’re a long-lost heir of an advanced intergalactic empire, and your return is surprisingly anticipated by trillions of extraterrestrial beings. Though you need to credit your imagination, all it can do is temporarily divert your attention elsewhere and waste your time. Your best direction of action is to face reality head-on with determination, perseverance, and no regard for the dung thrown at you.
3) You’re Investing So Much in Your Hobbies
Hobbies are amusing and fulfilling, but they can also be destructive if you’re not being careful. A lot of people spend a lot of money and time on video games, bikes, car upgrades, cameras, and outdoor trek gear, all without thinking of how it can critically affect their lifestyle.
For instance, let’s say you’re a certified video game addict and you spend hundreds of dollars a month and at least 8 hours a day (16 on days off) sitting in front of your console and hitting the buttons on your sports controller. You’re not only sacrificing your normal health by remaining sedentary but also your social life by shunning the world out of doors the digital plane. In one way or another, hobbies are a way to escape from reality.
It can be treated like a shell or an area of refuge, but if unregulated, it will be more like a prison cell, trapping you in debts and isolation. It’s always best to maintain the money and time you spend on them in moderation except you’ve successfully turned it into your profession (like in the case of bloggers and photographers).
4) You Haven’t Saved Enough
You have an incredulous look in your eyes while asserting your payslips and financial information. You’re surprised to realize that you’ve earned a collectively gargantuan amount of money in the preceding years, but your savings account holds 50% of your monthly salary. It’s shocking, and you’re wondering where all of your money went.
Bear in mind that having juice on your savings account is a should, considering you’ll need an emergency and contingency fund if something unfortunate arises, like you being laid off and other unexpected expenses. As a standard rule, it is a must to have at least six months’ worth of your monthly EXPENSES in a bank.
After doing so, leave it untouched and best tap it during emergencies. It’s a tall order, and the key here is to do it little by little: always placed apart at least 10% of your salary. In any case, you should begin reading about financial rules and suggestions written by business moguls and rags to riches businessmen (not pseudo-experts).
5) Your Priorities Are in Complete Disarray
Even worse, you don’t have any clue what your priorities are. Once you graduate college, it seems like you’re on cloud nine, and after a few months for your first job, you don’t have any clue on how to get over the hump and into the following level.
At this factor, life will feel and seem aimless, considering you’ll have no idea how to level up. You’re probably to spend your nights watching late-night sports video games while chugging down a glass of beer. Let’s add that you have no problems with your job, even though it appears like you’re stuck at one factor and stagnating.
Though your number one precedence at this point is to attain monetary stability (and pay off student loans), you should look for avenues that can permit you to somehow improve your stature: seek a promotion or look for a more difficult job.
If you’re in college and having trouble with your grades, seek help from various study groups and review centers. Remember, your studies are your best investment! Overall, this is applicable whether you’re in college or enjoying youth in your 20s. If you think that your life is in a middle of a crisis, absolutely take a step back and relax for a moment. Think of the best answers and have someone to speak to!
Sustain the excellent work and producing in the group!