Quarter .5 Life "Crisis"

“If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?” “What do you want to do?”

Two questions I’ve vowed to not ask a soul. Who would have ever though that such simple questions could be so debilitating? Not I. And clearly neither has no one else, as it’s a part of the usual run down during AND after any “milestone moments” in life.

• High School graduation

• College graduation

• New job

• Another new job, after quitting that first one

and so forth.

Looking back over the past 10 years has become increasingly cringe worthy as there is this haunting feeling that it all has amounted up to …dare I say, nothing. From the glares of parents mixed with their undying yearning for you to be the best version of themselves to those meet ups with old friends, we are constantly trying to piece together every little aspect of our lives so it can come together without flaw ..on paper.

The reality is I have none of this figured out. And quite frankly walking away from trying to constantly analyze and quantify my life has been the deep breath I’ve needed since entering college. We are talking 10+ years of “holding my breath”. While I haven’t begun to deliberately ignore someone when the question is asked, I have implemented responses that protect myself.

• “I’m not sure, did you know what you wanted to do when you were my age?”

• “I’m in the process of learning myself and being OK with not knowing.”

• “I don’t have an answer for ya” upside down smile

With this new outlook, I have an appreciation for trying and failing. Practicing and progressing. Versus getting everything right on the first try. Or pretending to have all things planned and figured out. There’s beauty in the stillness of no progression or regression and it’s there that we have to find comfort.

Let me know in the comments what you methods you’ll be using to quiet the noise around you and just take a deep breath.

-Jimi