The QLC & How To Spot It If You’re Going Through It

  • Published on:
    September 17, 2020
  • Reading time by:
    4 minutes
The QLC (quarter life crisis) & How To Spot It If You're Going Through It

The Quarter-Life Crisis (QLC) is real. It’s essentially a midlife crisis for young people (usually between ages 22-35) but worse because you’re supposed to be carefree, drinking, partying, and looking the best you ever will in life yet you don’t understand why you feel “empty” and numb to it all. Although you appear to be “living your best life,” you realize your current situation does not bring fulfillment, purpose, or happiness, and you feel lost in how to change things for the better. These feelings can stem from two perspectives, 

  • Feeling stuck in an adult role you don’t want
  • Feeling unable to enter the adult role you want

For me, the QLC hit when I had accomplished my goals– I was making a great salary, living in Manhattan with a full social schedule from Tuesday to Sunday, a cool job on Wall Street, and a new relationship. I was a self-made badass, I was told, but I didn’t feel like one. I finally had the life I had fought for and I was not happy. I just felt empty.   

I was one of the first ones in my friend group to experience the QLC. I remember close friends not understanding why I would be so depressed, telling me to switch jobs, do more yoga, and read self-help books. I tried all of them, but none would help get rid of that constant feeling in my chest that made it difficult to breathe, think, and feel. It is a state of mind that can easily be associated with clinical depression, but in most cases the two are separate. This is why it is so important for me to speak about the QLC because I would have felt so much better knowing that I was not alone. 

With that said, I will attempt to share with you in a concise manner what the QLC is based on my experience, my friends, and all the online material I have read. Below are brief explanations of the QLC stages: 

  • Denial: you realize there is something wrong; you feel sad, angry, anxious and somehow numb all at the same time. Yet, you tell yourself it must just be a bad day. You associate how you are feeling as a result of a clear issue in your life – bad relationships, evil bosses, low-paying jobs, annoying roommates, dictator parents, ….etc
  • Finding Band-aids: Ok, I got this, I can reintroduce purpose, fulfilment, and happiness into my life. I am going to do meditation. Shit! That didn’t work, onto yoga, that is more my thing anyways. This stage will lead to temporary relief, and it is also the most dangerous. Depending on how many Band-Aids you find, you will only prolong the process.
  • Acceptance: Shit, I am screwed! You have identified the real issue and even if you won’t admit it to yourself, you know exactly what must change. In this stage, it is important to know that you are not alone. It is also important to do some research about the QLC and find solutions on how to cope– more information to come in another blog post. 
  • Change: Unarguably the best and worst phase. You start to create the change you want and need in your life. It may be difficult, uncomfortable and even painful, but it will pay off tenfold. In this stage, it is important that you find a support network that understands the situation and reminds you why you are making this change. When you begin to redefine success and happiness to others around you, opposition is inevitable. This is unfortunately part of the process because many people around you are still in the denial phase and prefer to maintain the status quo. 

Now that you have a brief idea of different phases of the QLC, you are on the path to recovery.  The first step is awareness. Awareness is realizing the red flags and acknowledging your thoughts and emotions. Having gone through the QLC, my one piece of advice is to follow your initial instincts and don’t make any impulsive changes until you do your research. For example, people told me to just quit my job and change careers, however, I wasn’t ready at that point, and had I listened, I would have probably ended up unhappier in the long run. I know it’s clichéd – but life is a journey encompassing the good and the bad and this phase might seem like the worse thing but it isn’t. Once you get through it, like most obstacles in your life, you will come out on the other side a stronger woman than ever before.   

Radha Ramjeawan

Radha Ramjeawan has over eight years of experience working on Wall Street for multiple bulge bracket firms. She has an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and an Executive MBA from Fordham University. Radha has a passion for writing and enjoys producing content about lifestyle, beauty, fashion, and psychology. In her free time, she enjoys exploring New York City, traveling, and trying new cuisines.

You might also enjoy..

10 Happiest Professions According to 2024 Research

10 Happiest Professions According to 2024 Research

Looking for a career that brings joy, meaning, and a sense of purpose—not just a paycheck? A groundbreaking 2024 global study by the World Wellbeing Institute revealed fascinating new data about which professions make people the happiest. And surprisingly, it’s not the typical answers like “doctor” or “teacher.” Read on 10 Happiest Professions Acco
How to Stop Attracting People You Have to Fix

How to Stop Attracting People You Have to Fix

If your relationships often feel like rescue missions, where you're the emotional firefighter and they’re the house on fire, you're not alone. Many women find themselves repeatedly drawn to partners, friends, or even coworkers who need “saving.” But why does this happen, and more importantly—how do you stop? Read on How to Stop Attracting People Yo
The Mindset Trick Millionaires Use to Stay Rich

The Mindset Trick Millionaires Use to Stay Rich

What really separates self-made millionaires from everyone else? It’s not just about earning more—it’s about thinking differently. While most people look for flashy hacks or shortcuts, the truly wealthy adopt subtle but powerful mindset tricks that help them keep growing their fortune. Read on The Mindset Trick Millionaires Use to Stay Rich.
The 10 Most Useful AI Tools for Women in 2025

The 10 Most Useful AI Tools for Women in 2025

AI is changing everything in 2025—from how we work and stay safe to how we manage health and finances. And it’s doing it in ways that feel more personal than ever. For women especially, new AI tools are helping handle life’s complexity with more ease, confidence, and even joy. Here are 10 of the most useful and not-so-obvious AI tools women are lov
10 Solo Travel Safety Must-Knows for Women

10 Solo Travel Safety Must-Knows for Women

Traveling solo as a woman can be one of the most empowering and rewarding experiences. It allows you to explore the world on your own terms, meet new people, and discover parts of yourself you never knew existed. However, it’s essential to ensure your safety while doing so. Although common travel safety tips are widely known, there are lesser-known