So my month long sabbatical has turned into a relatively permanent one. Not everything went completely as planned, considering Johnny and I are in the middle of a big move, but it’s actually for the best. We’ll be saving tons of money and ready for Argentina in no time.
Since I haven’t been working a typical 9 to 5 for 5 weeks now (!!!), I’ve had a lot of time to sit and think about what I want to do in my life. I know I want to travel, but as far as a long term career plan…I don’t have one.
And that’s completely okay.
At 24, I’ve realized that I don’t have to have everything figured right now. It’s okay to not have a concrete plan. It’s okay to not set a timeline on myself to get married by a certain age, have a career by a certain age, have children by a particular age. I’m completely fine planning for my trip to Argentina and seeing where the wind takes me.
I feel that the “crisis” part of my quarterlife crisis is nearing an end. My panic attacks have nearly subsided; I’m no longer in the depths of depression. The clouds have parted and I finally see all what life has to offer me. I feel completely alive. When I wake in the morning, there is no dread attacking my body. I feel like a have a greater purpose in life.
The word “crisis” is too strong, too harsh and jarring. It has a terribly, negative connotation, something I feel is inappropriate for how I feel now. I feel as if I have evolved. I am happy. I am vibrant, beaming with light and love. So I’ve started calling this period in life my Quarterlife Discovery.
I’ve discovered I don’t want to be a talent agent. Completely okay.
I’ve discovered that the office was completely poisoning me. From the sugary snacks and sodas, to the sitting in a windowless room for 9 hours a day, my body was completely fatigued. Since I haven’t been working, I’ve been dropping weight like crazy. My hair and nails have started to grow, my skin has cleared up, and my confidence has skyrocketed.
I’ve discovered that my sex life was completely in shambles while I was depressed. I would come home in a piss ass mood and didn’t want to be touched at all. The rare occasions I had sex, I was completely lifeless. It got to the point I couldn’t even remember the last time I had sex. A terrible sex life has an even more terrible effect on a relationship. Johnny as irritable; I was irritable. I can’t imagine that we were pleasant to be around. Since I’ve stopped working, it’s been a complete 180. We just can’t seem to get enough of each other. And that my friends, is always a GREAT thing.
I’ve discovered so many more passions I didn’t know I had. Art, jewelry, vegan and vegetarian cooking, the environment, practicing sustainability, tea, wine, spin class, Brazilian and French music, natural health and skin care, cartography, typography, etc. The list goes on for days!
I’ve discovered my zest for learning. I’ve been watching documentaries like it’s going out of style. TED talks, listening to NPR in the car instead of music, reading anything I can get my hands on. I feel so much more a part of the world. I didn’t realize how much the office was stifling my love for learning.
And I’m starting to discover who I really am. I’m a hippie at heart. I want to do more in this world than just sit and watch life pass me by. I want to volunteer, help children, plant trees, help Mother Earth. I curse like a sailor and I’m completely okay with that. I’m a night owl. I love the sound of laughter. I’ve discovered I really dislike chick flicks. I’ve found out how to really love my body. I’ve never felt more comfortable in my skin, stretch marks and all. I’m a strong, vibrant, beautiful young woman.
I wasn’t expecting to leave my job and wake up with all the answers to my life the next day. I’m actually quite enjoying the process of finding things that interest me, of taking each day as it comes and preparing myself for Argentina. I don’t have any end results planned…and that’s completely fine. The most fun about life is the journey.
“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”Ursula K. LeGuin
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Love this post! I know exactly how you feel because I too felt like I was going through a QUARTER life crisis. I too was also depressed didn’t want to do anything with anyone and just thought I was doomed. The best thing that happened to me was realizing I want to travel. I made that my goal and made it happen… I am now as happy as I can be. Cheers to DISCOVERING what you want and life and going for it. Stay happy & live the life you wanna live!!!
YAY! Thank you Jaime. Your blog has been such an inspiration for me. I’m so glad to see you so happy and having so much fun on the road!
I love this post! My crisis right now is being the only one around that doesn’t want to have kids and settle into a “career”. I’m only 26, my husband and I want to see the world and right now that’s all we want. It’ll take time, we aren’t rich, but we’ll do it one trip at a time! I know if I were to conform to life around here, I would totally regret it later on.
I’m totally with you on the kids thing. Johnny and I have talked about children extensively. I know I want to have children, but definitely not anytime soon, and I’m completely okay with that. Not to say when you have children you can’t travel, but it’s definitely something I want to experience before I have my own children.
And I always have to remind myself that just because all of my friends have kids and careers, doesn’t mean I have to. Despite what everyone tells you, there’s no timeline by which you have to have these “goals” accomplished.
What an uplifting post! It is so great to discover the things that give you joy in life. For me, that happened as soon as I graduated from college. I was out of the dorms, and was no longer learning things for a grade. I was learning and reading for fun…and it felt so great.
Cheers! I hope you continue to enjoy this passion for life
YAY! That’s the best, learning for fun and because you want to. I’ve been clearing out the Netflix documentary section, watching everything ever. I’ve learned SO much because I actually enjoy doing it.
I hope your passion for learning continues to flourish!
Love it, darlin! So proud of you that you have taken your life back and feel so much better. A Quarterlife Discovery is 180 from a Crisis – you’ve already grown so much since you’ve started your blog. Keep making the decisions that make you happy XO
XOXOXOXO!!!! I re read my blog the other day, and I’m a far cry from where I was a few months ago. So happy that things have changed!
Nice post! I admire you taking charge of your life at such an early age. I quit my job at 41 and have been on sabbatical traveling and living life to the fullest for the last 2 years. Never in my life did I ever envision such freedom…especially in my 20′s. Life is a blessing and knowing that every day makes it even more special.
Blessings to you!
~A
Thank you Angela!
Great to hear that you’re taking charge of your life and where it’s heading. I remember reading how depressed you were just a short time ago and seeing where you’re at right now in life and how excited you are puts a smile on my face – so yay and here’s to a happier, stronger, and more vibrant you.
Thank you so much Jill! It’s incredible to realize just how toxic that job was. I’m so glad I finally got to get out.
I’ve been following your blog for a while now and it’s wonderful that you made it to this point. I could relate to your struggle but I can’t say I have reached the end of my quarterlife crisis. I really hope I can get out from under it and feel happy again. I would hate to live the rest of my life in this state.
I wish I could just give you a big hug right now. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when the depression creeps back in, but I’ve learned to recognize what it is and do activities that make me feel better. Exercise is probably the best thing. Even if you just get outside and walk for 30 minutes, it makes a huge difference.
You won’t feel like this the rest of your life. Have you found something you are passionate about? Something that would make you happy to do everyday? If so, work on the steps to fulfilling those goals. If not, make a list of all the things you are remotely interested in. You’ll see common themes pop up: for me, it was travel, fashion, and as of late, it’s nutrition and environmental issues.
And as always, if you need someone to talk to, I’m an email away.
Great to hear you’re feeling on top of it all
I think one of the best things we can do is realise we’re already living our lives and make the most of them, rather than just waiting or planning for things that one day may or may not come 
It’s definitely okay not to know what you want to do career-wise. I wholeheartedly believe that when you go to Argentina, it’ll help you discover so much about yourself and which direction you want your life to take.
It took me a *long* time to realize what you written in this entry, but I finally got! I used to beat myself up so much for all the school/career mistakes I had made and constantly comparing myself to friends or associates who seem to have it “all”. Now, I understand that I needed this time of my life to discover what I really wanted to do with my life instead of doing what everybody wanted me to do (which I had been doing for a good 24 of almost 26 years of my life). I feel so free right now, and I’m going to treasure every moment of my life right now.
YES! I love it. Free is the way to be!
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