The terms Quarterlife, Quarterlifer and Quarterlife Crisis are relatively new terms that many people haven't been exposed to yet. I know when I introduce myself as a Quarterlife Coach, most people stare at me as though I just announced that I had moon-cakes for breakfast. The inevitable next question is, "what's a quarterlifer?"

A spin-off of its older cousin, the "Mid-Life Crisis", a "Quarterlife Crisis" refers to the challenges that arise during one's transition from adolescence into adulthood. Up until a few years ago, becoming an "adult" consisted of a college graduation ceremony and a handshake from the new boss. But in recent years, researchers have found that twenty- and thirty-something adults are faced with a myriad of issues that their parents didn't have to deal with as they navigate from college life into the Real World. This transition period has become it's own developmental phase of life, much like infancy or childhood, and is generally understood to last for several years.

And here's why it's become such a popular issue lately: those who are unable to navigate this transition successfully usually end up suffering from a "Quarterlife Crisis." So how can you tell if you're at risk for having a Quarterlife Crisis? Take this quiz to find out.

QUARTERLIFE CRISIS QUIZ
Put a check-mark next to all statements that are true for you:

1. I recently graduated from college, and I'm not even using my degree.

2. I have high student loans, credit card debt, and my entry-level salary doesn't come close to supporting my lifestyle.

3. My friends get me through the week right now. They're my support system. I don't know what I would do without them.

4. How can I tell if this person is "The One" I'm supposed to marry? I don't want to get divorced like my parents did, so I need to make sure!

5. I feel like I just rush from one activity to another - there's no downtime!

6. I've been working hard for a few years, and I'm not growing or excelling at my job the way I expected to.

7. I'm almost 30 and I'm nowhere near ready to get married, have kids or buy a house.

8. I feel like all I ever do is work long hours at a brainless job where I make no money and where people refer to me as the "kid in the cubicle by the elevator." When did my life become so boring and predictable?

9. There are too many options for my future and I'm completely overwhelmed. I could travel, go back to school, get a new job, stay at this job, change careers, start a business, get married, become a stay-at-home mom/dad, etc. How am I supposed to know what's going to make me happiest in the long run?

10. I feel stuck. There's got to be more meaning in life than this!

If any of the above statements sound familiar, you are probably one of the thousands of quarterlifers who may be hurtling toward a Quarterlife Crisis. The good news is that you don't have to wait around to find out what happens. It's completely possible to turn your situation around and create a life that is meaningful, fun and fulfilling for you. Here's how:

WHAT TO DO

Quarterlifers today are in an unprecedented situation: we have all of the options in the world, but now there are NO guidelines or rules for choosing the right path. We can't just look to our mothers or fathers and say, "sure, I'll be a lawyer - that worked for Dad." That's just not going to be enough for us. There are too many options. Each and every individual now has to look deep within to figure out who they are, so they can create a life that works specifically for them.

The key to overcoming a Quarterlife Crisis is to pinpoint what is getting in your way of having the life you envisioned for yourself. Do you have unrealistic expectations? Are you afraid to jump off your current career track (even though it makes you miserable) because you've invested "so much time and money"? Do you find yourself avoiding making any decisions because you're afraid that whatever you choose will impact the rest of your life? Or are you one of those people trying to do everything at once, so you don't have to choose one option over another?

Regardless of what's getting in your way, you have the power to change it. That's the upside of being a Quarterlifer in this day in age - you have options. You just have to figure out which ones you want to embrace, and which ones you want to reject. And that takes self-awareness, insight and connection with oneself.

About the Author

Sarah M. Schultz, MA, CPC is a certified Personal Development Coach in Park City, UT. Sarah coaches teens and college graduates in identifying their personal values, developing an authentic identity and building a passionate life. Register for your free copy of her article "Self-Reliance: 7 Tips for Finding Your Strength Within" on her website at: http://www.newheightslifecoaching.com.