I am Gen Z: My quarter-life crisis

[sanna254]

Are you just a dreamer?

You've always had doubts all your life. Throughout school, you were the recluse. You never belonged. But that was okay, coz you still had time. Maybe college. Campus, perhaps, it could be different. That's when it'll make sense. You consoled. You were so sure. This is when you'll stamp your passions and career. For 4 years, you'll get to make sure of your tastes, personality, sexuality, and even friends. Perhaps solidify your hobbies, and talents too, if you're lucky.

How did this happen? It’s almost over. College, the moment you hoped it'll all make sense. When you first joined campus, you had three ambitions. Reinvent yourself. Fashionably and more importantly, socially. You wanted to attend as many parties as possible. Then maybe, explore passions. Identify that suitable career, and talents, and maybe take on a couple hobbies. You wanted to get 'the guy'. Husbands are best obtained on campus, right? But now, with only a semester remaining, you believe your birth month, stones, and your village people bewitched you.

The reinvention went so bad it completely wrecked your self-esteem. Lesson learned, there is no crossing over for an introvert. You terribly failed to dress your personality. You might get, 'the guy' yet. Only if the fights stop. You are sure he's cheating. He blames your paranoia on your low esteem. Your subconscious insists it's a lost course. You still hold on though. No friends, no life, no nothing! He makes you feel less pathetic. With him lies your last shred of esteem. You ain't sure you'll survive if it all falls apart. And so you hold on. Even though it's slipping away, real fast.

“How did I get here, it was supposed to be my moment!”

At least one good thing came outta it. Your grades are balanced, and you hope to gracefully mourn your outta-reach glory by wearing that first-class cap. It happens.

This is the moment, what're you gonna do?

At 23, you feel quite lucky to have an internship at major cooperation in town. You are pursuing your passions. Working your ass off to get retained at the end of the contract. You hope your hard work will do it for you. Just hope. How can it though? When the trend is a 'higher positioned godfather' equals the opportunity. You got here thanks to your history teacher. You wish it were because of your good grades.

It wasn't enough though. Hard work never is, nowadays. You had to bend so low your ancestors turned in their graves. Never again... Yet you are here, questioning your resolve. You've noticed how the big boss has been looking at you. It's the only way up. You know it. You feel it. Is it worth it? Zach is also not helping. His protectiveness is suffocating. You wish he were a bit richer. Maybe then, there would be another way. You can't bear to hurt him. You have to choose though. The crossroads are here. Your career, or the guy. Morals no longer matter. This is the peak that'll define the rest of your life. You believe.

A'int you gonna fight that woman for your woman?

You're 24, you feel lucky. You got a career, moved away from home, and can afford three square meals. Dessert on special occasions. Still got that one year before you officially hit the quantum. Things are looking good. Well, at least in most places. You no longer believe in finding the one. Your poor heart was ripped apart when the love of your life left for another woman. How humiliating.

You wished to fight for her. How could you though? A fellow man, in a heartbeat. Compete with a woman, for a woman? What are the odds? You’ll lose before you begin. Better to not fight the fates. You got your camera. And a career to build a legacy. A Legacy that can never leave. It's building up, little by little, the client base. Wishful thinking really. People love you. But, not enough to stick around. Or help manage the rent. But it's still something. You toil, willing time to be fair. Wishing, hoping, and praying for life to bend to your intended path.

What're you gonna do?

Perhaps you are 27, not so lucky. You think you're too old. It will be so easier if you believed in witchcraft or astrology. At least then you'll have something to blame for your bad luck. This is when you should be stabilizing your career. Perhaps a newly appointed manager, two steps away from the CEO. You fantasize. A girlfriend, ready to propose. But that's all it is, a fantasy. Your reality is far away from that white picket fence you hoped to achieve at 30. You live with your parents. Dad makes sure you never forget that.

You've met most receptionists in town. You are never lucky to meet them twice. Four years you've tarmacked with no luck. You’re no longer sure about that degree. You feel you should venture into another field, perhaps one with less unemployment. If only you had the money. You feel trapped in dead ends. Quin is threatening visitation. You don't blame her though. You're hopeless. She's so gonna take away the only good the only sure thing in your life, baby Tiffy. Her giggles always make the worst week seem not so bad. What’re you gonna do without her? You can't file for custody, there's no money for the lawyers. Quin will crush you. Besides, you can barely take care of yourself, let alone raise another. Quin’s a bitch, but she's good enough for her pup. Things seem bleaker as 28 pulls closer.