"Nothing will ruin your 20s more than thinking you should have your life together already”
11 years ago, I thought to myself, “I’m going to graduate with flying colours, settle with a career as a fashion writer, travel the world with the person I love and give my parents everything they want.” I was smart, ambitious and so excited to take on the world. The universe then thought it was funny to pull the rug out from under me.
After nearly 5 years of working, I found myself jumping jobs, heading nowhere with my boyfriend of 8 years, still living with my parents and no bank savings. Nearly entering my 30s and I still couldn’t get my shit together. A couple of months before I turned 28, I went into depression.
Living in a society where speaking of depression is a taboo subject, I kept it to myself. I figured it will go away. When I did try to bring it up, everyone said I was just overthinking and that I should just relax and it’ll go away.
For 5 months, I didn’t feel like myself. I gained over 5 kilos, getting out of bed seemed impossible, felt alone and detached from my family and friends, nothing I did gave any satisfaction or meaning and worse, apart from anxiety, I couldn’t feel anything.
Live every other 20-year-old out there, I was under immense pressure to start getting my life together, get a good job that pays well, get married, buy a house yada yada yada. It’s expectations like these that I feel is what starts a quarter life crisis. Depression, frustration, being told what to do and how to feel – trapped in a rut. Breaking out of this cycle isn’t easy. It took me a while to recover but it’s doable.
Just feel it.
Don’t bottle up your emotions. Even if you think that no one would care, just talk about it and let it flow. You’re not the first person to be going through this nor will you be the last. In fact, you may be helping someone to speak out too.
Get Support
Surround yourself with people that not only brings out the best in you, but are also willing to stick around and light the way to help you find your way back. You are only as good as the people you’re with. You really can’t do it alone.
Count your blessings
It’s a saying as old as time, but it’s true. Count moments that made you smile and laugh, count the people you could text and instantly reply, days you’re never left hungry, sick or unwanted. These small moments you think cliché is what matters most at the end of the day.
Go for it
Don’t let anyone project their fears on you. Their thoughts, expectations and feelings shouldn’t be a barrier for you to get what you want or be whatever or however you want to be. What you want and want to be matters, regardless of what society may think.
There’s always tomorrow
Now, now, now is not always the solution. You don’t have to get it all figured out right away. An advice that is so underrated is, ‘Take your time.’ You’ll feel like the situation you’re in and feelings you’re feeling will never go away. It will, surely.
By Anbreen Aziz
*Segala pandangan dan pendapat adalah hasil karya penulis sepenuhnya dan tidak ada kena mengena dengan Gempak.
Mya Amri
Mon Oct 16 2017
Tak Kisah Dikecam, Erma Fatima Terbuka Kerjasama Dengan Aliff Aziz & Ruhainies
Tidak terganggu dengan kecaman, pengarah dan penerbit, Erma Fatima enggan menolak kemungkinan akan bekerjasama dengan pelakon kontroversi Ruhainies dan Aliff Aziz pada masa akan datang. Menurut Erma atau nama sebenarnya Fatimah Rahmad Ali, 56, bakat yang dimiliki dua selebriti itu tidak ada kena mengena dengan masalah peribadi yang dihadapi buat
Labelkan Anak Dajjal Kecil & Beri Kata-Kata Kesat, Caprice Cari Budak Biadap Sampai Lubang Cacing - “Kita Jumpa Depan Depan”
Melampaunya sampai hina anak orang.
Platform Untuk Merentasi Industri Lain, Kerjasama Filem The Experts Dengan Calpis Soda Jadi Tanda Aras
Filem The Experts kerjasama dengan Calpis Soda.
Ruhainies Maafkan Netizen Bergosip Tentangnya - “Mereka Tak Nampak Apa Yang Sebenarnya Berlaku..”
Aktres sensasi, Ruhainies mengakui akan memaafkan individu yang bergosip tentang isu kontroversi nya baru-baru ini.
"Kahwin Jer Senang, Nak Akak Sponsor?" - Ifa Raziah Mohon Aliff Aziz, Sarah Yasmine Selesaikan Kemelut, Netizen Dua Negara Tak Bertelagah!
Selebriti versatil, Ifa Raziah menyeru agar semua pihak yang terbabit dalam kontroversi melibatkan selebriti Singapura iaitu Aliff Aziz dan Sarah Yasmine agar berhenti daripada terus bertelagah dan menyebarkan aib satu sama lain.
Isu Halau Sarah Yasmine, ‘Mok Cun’ Diperli Warga Singapura Jual Produk Dalam SGD - “Kenyang Kan?”
Pempengaruh dan pencipta kandungan dari republik itu, Hafidz Abdul Rahman memulangkan paku buah keras keras kepada Erma Fatima.
Aaron Aziz Enggan Ulas Kontroversi Aliff Aziz - “Saya Harap Masalah Itu Tak Jejaskan Peluang…”
Aaron harap isu itu tak jejas peluang orang lain.
Undian Dibuka, Lee Weng Foong, Aliff Ahmad, Saharuddin Amirullah & Aleeya Zailan Calon Wonda Coffee Keluang Man Of The Month!
Undian bagi kategori Wonda Coffee Keluang Man Of The Month telah pun dibuka secara rasmi kepada umum.
Majikan Beri 10 Hari 'Cuti Sedih' Setahun - "Mereka Boleh Berehat... Tenangkan Perasaan"
Sekiranya anda salah seorang pekerja di pasar raya Fat Dong Lai di China, anda layak mendapat 'cuti sedih' selama 10 hari dalam tempoh setahun.
Influencer Kena Kecam Pakai Mentega Jadi Asas Solekan - "Ia Beri Kemasan Seperti Kulit Berembun..."
Seorang pesohor media sosial mengundang kontroversi kerana menggunakan mentega sebagai bahan asas solekan, lapor laman berita Wion News.