Back in March, Anairo visited the issue of the Quarter-Life Crisis.  Well here I am, 22 years old, trying at all costs to avoid or at least minimize the frustration of this rite of passage into adulthood. After graduating from undergrad in May 2007, I started a position that September.  By November, my company announced in they would be closing my center, I wasn’t in the least bit disappointed since I had already been planning my escape. I sat in the corporate meeting thinking, I’m going to book a flight to Trinidad, a trip I was wracking my brain to negotiate into my existing work schedule. Within those final weeks at work, I saved every drop of my paychecks and decided to dedicate my hiatus to exploring, solidifying trips to Trinidad, Seattle, and Atlanta.  Excuse the cliché, but I feel like I found myself. I can say that it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. In those nine months, I was even able to apply my passion for travel and produce a project that I’m proud to present as Her Journey, my baby, if you will.

During my break, a few things really clicked for me. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before, proved themselves worthy to be shared:

Quiet time.

Sitting in silence every once in a while not only reduces the stress from the rigor of your everyday routines but it also grants you uninterrupted reflection. Being alone with your thoughts allows you to get in touch with your deepest, sincerest desires and aspirations, and once you have revealed them you are already one step closer to achieving them.

Write it down.

You’ve heard it time and time again. For one, writing helps you capture all those thoughts racing through your mind. It also reminds you of goals, helps you keep track of your progress and solidifies your commitment to those goals bringing you yet another step closer to accomplishing them.

Research.

If you’re passionate about something you will be hungry to learn everything you can about it. Knowledge combined with passion is a good foundation for success.

Just do it.

Whoever said “I am the master of my fate” knew what they were talking about. You are the master of your fate and you can create opportunities for yourself to do what it is that you love. Simply, do what you want to do.

Go hard.

Once you’ve identified your passions, solidified your goals, done your homework, and you’re in a position to do what you love, you won’t have a choice but to do it wholeheartedly. Your passion will probably propel you actions beyond your conscious efforts.

Please be clear that I do not claim to have it all figured out, but these concepts have helped me thus far, and I only hope that in sharing them they can be helpful to you too. It is my hope that you all will contribute your wisdom as well, and our combined efforts will increase our chances of beating the Quarter-Life Crisis!

-Lady D