The Mid-Mid Life Crisis

The Mid-Mid Life Crisis Like others my age, I worry about getting a job. This phenomenon of young adults going through their own mid-mid life crisis has been bedrngnisiced and exploited for comedic value (see HBOs Girls, anything that makes fun of hipsters, etc.). I think lots of people think the lives of Gen-Yers consist of wandering around Brooklyn, drinking local beer and wearing flannel. Theyre starving artists with Macbook Pros which mom and dad bought for them back when they attended some liberal arts school in the Mid-West. While there might be some truth to this (it just happens, I swear), some people sincerely cant find a job, and the situation is nerve-wracking at best, terrifying at worst. So instead of giving you some advice about getting a job so that you can leave your parents, Im going to give you some advice for getting through this hurdle in life. However, I hope this also helps t hose going through a midlife crisis. We Gen-Yers really do share mora in common with older folk than many people think. Were all freaking out at the same time about paying the bills, right?1. Do what you want to do.If you dont, youll be miserable, and youll probably suck at the job that you do have. That being said, dont walk away from a chance at another career that you think might work for you. Ive said it before, and Ill say it again those that seem lucky are just those that take advantage of opportunities when they see them.For the writers, painters, musicians, whatever if you cant make any money in the beginning, take up a part-time job. I know you dont want to do that. I certainly dont. I hated working at a cafe, and I really dont feel like doing it again, but if I have to take a part-time job at Starbucks so I can pay my rent in some hipster alcove, so be it. I heard they have health insurance2. Talk to someone.About whatever is worrying you Need help getting a job? Talk to someone. Feeling overwhelmed? Talk to someone. Just want to play Mario Kart in your friends dank room and forget about your troubles for a while? Talk to someone. Im not just talking about reaching out to people for favors. Hanging out with your friends or family when youre feeling low will boost your spirits and motivate you to keep grasping for legitimate adulthood (as in, not living with your parents).3. Think like a dog.I once had a professor (at a liberal arts school in the Mid-West) that told me his secret for getting over hurdles in his life welches to think about what his dog would do.A while back, the dog missed a step on a flight of stairs and rolled down. My professor and his wife thought she was seriously injured, but the dog just got up, shook herself and walked off. She was always happy because she wouldnt dwell on stuff. So be like the dog. If youre stressing out about your career, just remember that it isnt the end-all and that youll eventually be okay again. You won t get anything done if you succumb to your fears.4. Dont make a 5 year plan.Youll be much happier. Why? Because if you had a five year plan and then started feeling that you should be doing something else, theres a good chance that youll feel like a failure. If you allow yourself flexibility, youll be much more open to whatever else can make you happy. I had a 5 year plan for almost every 5 years of my life. Thats not an exaggeration. When I was 3 years old, I made it my goal in life to attend Harvard so I could be pre-med and become a dentist. By high school, I had no interest in Harvard, dentistry, or Barney for that matter. Considering Ive never been that great at anything scientific, its a good thing I gave up the dentist dream early.Its good to have some kind of idea of what you want to do, but dont take it too seriously.