Quarterlife Crisis: Season 3 Bloggers

posted 2nd August 2010    Written by: Molly Mahar    CATEGORY: Molly, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 3

Fact:  The Quarterlife Crisis is a real experience of Gen Y, of women in their twenties and early thirties.

Fact:  You are not alone. If you feel disconnected from your life, not sure what the fuck you’re supposed to do next, disappointed that your day-to-day isn’t living up to all the expectations you had for it, have that eerie feeling that there should be something more, are overwhelmed by all the possibilities out there, don’t know how to start and stick with something, or just feel totally unlike your awesome self–Yup, we get it. Been there.

Fact:  It’s a slightly silly term for a real period of change.  Of seeking.  Of sorting out our best lives, on our terms, with the resources we have.  The term might be silly, but the process of growth is anything but.

Fact: The Quarterlife Crisis is the a Rite of Passage. Embrace it. Use it to grow and learn and laugh hysterically.  Use it to affect positive change, or polish some rough corners, or make some major shifts in how you live your life.  Hey, it’s YOUR life!  DIVE IN!

If you’re a familiar face around Stratejoy, you know that we’ve been featuring guest bloggers for an entire year!  Season 1 consisted of  Robyn, Kendra, Andrea and Marisa writing about their day to day experience of conquering (or at least surviving!) their QLC 6 months.  Season 2 feature Nicole, Heather Rae, and Katie rockin’ and rollin’ their way through self employment, major moves, new relationships, and the ups and down of the finding themselves…

Well, today it’s time to welcome six new women to “Season 3″! Without further ado, I am thrilled to introduce you to the amazing girls who will be writing on a weekly basis here at Stratejoy:  Doniree, Nikki, Marian, Alisha, Renee, and Lindsey.   We’ve got married bloggers, a grad student blogger, a mommy bloggers, self-employed bloggers, nomadic bloggers, a living-at-home blogger, an actor blogger, 20something bloggers, and a feminist blogger…  It’s a diverse bunch and they’ll each bring you their story of coming face-to-face with their version of a Quarterlife Crisis.

Season 3 Guest Bloggers

These woman are gutsy. They’re helping spread the word that the Quarterlife Crisis happens to the best of us and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that fact.  They’re helping challenge the stigma that this “crisis” is considered a failure and that somehow we could have avoided it, if only we had everything figured out.

Those of us who have experienced/are experiencing a QLC haven’t failed.  We are not selfish Gen Yers wallowing in some perceived notion that life should be handed to us on golden platter. We’re not blaming our parents and our education for encouraging us to go after it all.

We’re simply admitting we don’t have it “figured out” at a time in our lives when we thought we would. And we are gutsy enough to take control of our happiness.

And as long as you don’t allow your Quarterlife Criris to take you down and out, you will be stronger, healthier and happier for it.  It will force you to really think about your life, to challenge expectations and to carve out your own definition of success.

These women are living proof of that.

What I ask of you?  Participate! Join in the conversation here on the blogs. We all HEART comments and promise to do our best to respond, interact, answer questions.  Become part of the community on Facebook. Interact with Stratejoy on Twitter. Let your voice, your opinion, your experience be heard.  Share, learn and laugh your ass off with us.

Why six women? I know, it’s a change!  But there were so many amazing applications this season, I couldn’t stick to four.  What does that mean for you?  A new post will be going live EVERY SINGLE DAY here at Stratejoy.   I’m taking Mondays, and the girls will post Tuesday through Sunday.  It’s a plethora of inspiration, questions, and real time stories of what it takes to find your best life.

Who’s excited?   If you’re a loyal reader or a new reader, why not introduce yourself on this post (in the format of the blogger bios)?  That way we know YOU!

Mucho besos, my lovely lovies.  You kick butt.

Thanks to the gals at Shatterboxx Media for the Season 3 Bio Boxes!

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Comments (32)

32 Responses to “Quarterlife Crisis: Season 3 Bloggers”

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 1:36 am

    I laughed at the "living in her parents' basement" part. Not because it's funny, but because it's so freakin' honest. You're just as awesome as the Season 3'ers, lady!

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 1:36 am

    Ah, new season. Love it. I love starting new things; notebooks, projects, seasons of Stratejoy. Can't wait to dive right into 6 new girls' lives.

  • Vijaya Says:
    August 2nd, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    Vijaya,20-something, just finished her Masters in journalism from Syracuse University. She is planning on moving to NYC in the fall – she’s only wanted to move there since she finished college. Her quarter-life crisis happened when she was in graduate school in southern california in a program that bored her to tears and she realized that she wasn’t going to be happy in a job that killed her creative side. Since her masters, she has been living in her parents’ basement blogging about all things indian-american and looking for her (un)glamarous entry level-ish job in New York City..

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 2:18 am

    Ditto Katie. Welcome Vijaya! You're in good company here. (Not sure if Lindsey is in the basement, but I know she's at home!)

  • Alisha Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 2:36 am

    Yay!! Can't wait to share and find out mnore about the other ladies as well :)

  • Manderz Says:
    August 2nd, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    I am so excited for season 3. It’ll be the first season I follow from the beginning. All the (you?!) ladies sound so amazing and inspiring.

  • Kate Says:
    August 2nd, 2010 at 7:28 pm

    Welcome to all the fab Season 3 Bloggers! So excited to read all about everyone's adventure, inspiration and struggles.

  • Erin Says:
    August 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    I don't always comment, but I am always here reading! Can't wait to hear all about the exciting things the new ladies are up to in their lives.

    I don't know how to describe my life right now. I'm being very quiet and listening for guidance about how to move out of this middle place I find myself in. Will I meet the love of my life in Seattle? Will I get the kickass job back east I have done two phone interviews for? Who knows!

  • marianschembari Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 am

    I am SO FREAKING EXCITED about Season 3!! Everyone is just so different in their lives and experiences – can't wait to read all about it and be part of the awesomeness that's going to go down *every single day* here at S-Joy :)

  • Susan Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 3:14 am

    Looking forward to reading posts from all the Season 3 bloggers and getting more inspiration! Yay! :)

  • Kate Wiseman Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 4:17 am

    Kate Wiseman, 23 and half-something, is currently living in Lund, Sweden. She is not sure whether her QLC started at age 16 or if there is more to come. She combats her fear of wasting her precious time on earth through travel and living abroad, which she blogs about at http://www.transatlanticsketches.com. Ultimately, she thinks she would like to save the world, or at least the world's women, or at least a few women, or at the very least ONE WOMAN would be nice to save/make a positive difference for. She's not sure how to get to that point. She's working on it. She also thinks it would be nice to be the kind of gal who makes her own mayonnaise and fruit preserves. It's true. That's what she thinks.

  • Lindsey Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    I am not in the basement, but that's only because the ceiling is too low do to Sun Salutations :)

  • Doniree Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    I'm so thrilled to be a part of this season! Thanks for the opportunity, and I can't wait to follow these other ladies as well :)

  • paranoidactress Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Vanessa, 24, moved to New York City a year ago to pursue her acting career. Thinks she hit her QLC right around when she graduated from college at 23 with degrees in theater and art history. Still trying to figure out what she wants, she is currently waitressing and thinking about all of her options. She's always dreamed of being an actress in New York, but would also love to travel, see the world, and spend some time living in Amsterdam. While she figures it all out, she spends her time seeing live music and reading in the park.

  • nikkiklecha Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    being quiet & listening for guidance is one of the hardest (and most rewarding!) things we can ever do! I'm there too & it's a daily challenge. Keep us posted! xx

  • nikkiklecha Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    I want to be the kinda gal who grows her own veggies and always has fresh flowers & live plants in the house! We can SO be domestic goddesses AND kick-ass inspirational women, right? :)

  • nikkiklecha Says:
    August 3rd, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    I HEAR ya!!! Giiiiiirl, we are gonna have to have some heart-to-hearts! xx

  • elizjade Says:
    August 5th, 2010 at 9:44 am

    LIZ, 28, lives in philly, works for a nonprofit around the corner from her apt. has been wanting to work in NYC in publishing/media/entertainment/anything related to writing since she was in college. finally last year she was in a place where she could pick up and move to a new state, but is unable to find a job. suffering through phone interviews and driving long distances to interview these last 3 months has made her summer stressful. however, engaged to an amazing man she was in love with in HS. 2 orange cats are her kiddos. loves the beach, friends, wine, corona light, somedays the gym, cooking and reading. oh, and been in so many weddings. 3 time MOH. found this site from Marian's pro blog.

  • erinmakesitwork Says:
    August 6th, 2010 at 12:18 am

    Erin, 27, lives in the 'burbs just outside Philly. Completely entrenched in her QLC which ironically she hit after meeting the love of her light and getting married last October. She lives with her wife, her brother and her silly cat, Ziggy. She is technically a freelance writer, but dreams of teaching, traveling, baking whole-wheat cupcakes and making homemade cosmetics. A semi-off-the-grid house with land, a dog, and financial independence, yes please!

  • Marianne_A Says:
    August 7th, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    Marianne, 28, is just going to copy and paste her 'About Me' paragraph that she uses for everything. Here it is – After graduating from FSU I went home for a year to save money to move to L.A. Once there, I worked as a talent agency intern, movie extra, and office temp while writing short stories on the side – one of which has been published online. In 2007 family circumstances brought me home to FL which is where I am now. I wrote a novella and memoir while working at a scuba diving co. over the past couple years and am currently between jobs.

  • quarterlifechrysalis Says:
    August 9th, 2010 at 9:44 am

    wow, i wish i had known about this during the first 2 seasons. nice!

  • Debbie Says:
    October 17th, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    This is amazing – I'm knee deep in QLC. An engineer by training, consultant by profession… am I happy? I think not. Relationships? How about – the whole indulging in whatever I can find (very pathetic).
    I look forward to this – I am glad I'm not alone!

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 8:29 am

    Hahaha! I love this intro, Kate. Welcome! Welcome!

    And I'm with Nikki- we can save the world and preserve fruit. Maybe just not all at once… :)

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 8:31 am

    I imagine we spend our entire lives trying to figure out what we want- so the best we can do is "What do I want for now?!" That thought helps me remember to enjoy the moment. And of course my planner side always has other things up her sleeve- including reading in park! That's what I did with good chunks of my time in NYC!

    Welcome to the Tribe, V!

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 8:33 am

    Hello lovely Liz! Sounds like a stressful summer, honey- but way to keep your chin up and your dreams real. Sometimes it takes work, eh? Keep your heart in it. I TOTALLY believe in you. Why? 'Cause you're part of the Tribe now!

    Congrats on the engagement. Hurrah for LOVE. And for YOU.

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 8:52 am

    Yes Please is right! And you make it work, Erin, right?! I think the timing of the QLC is intensely personal and the timing doesn't give heed to new marriages, big moves, or new jobs…

    Homemade cosmetics? Whole wheat cupcakes? Living with your wife and her entire family? I'm intrigued! ;)
    Thanks for being such a involved Tribe member, sweetness. Do I get to meet you at the Philly or Baltimore events?

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 8:53 am

    So here's my questions to your ready made About Me paragraph, Marianne. How do your FEEL about it all? Where do you want to go, do, dream about when you give yourself free reign?

    Welcome, lovely! Happy to have you here.

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 8:54 am

    Well- you're here now! Woo Hoo!

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 8:56 am

    Oh, Debbie… You are definitely NOT ALONE! That's the whole purpose of the site– support, inspiration, and tools. Thrilled you found us- and I promise you, happy is possible. It might take a heck of introspection, shifts in where you get your thrills, and possible some big changes (more internal than external) but the cool thing is– YOU control it. Welcome, my dear. Our Tribe is your Tribe. XO

  • erinmakesitwork Says:
    October 18th, 2010 at 10:31 am

    Yes ma'am, I do make it work. Funny how it hasn't been that long and some of those things have already change. While I still dream of baking whole wheat cupcakes and traveling the world, I am now in the process of creating a line of dog/cat toys made from recycled t-shirts. I plant to launch an etsy shop in a few months. Super stoked about it.

    I really want to attend the Philly or Baltimore events for sure. Just a matter of making it work financially at this point.

  • beccaw Says:
    January 11th, 2011 at 6:31 am

    what an awesome forum for incredible women to share their point of view on something we only talk about with our closest friends!

    rebecca is 28 and currently living with her parents and her dog in kitchener, ON. she fell into the first round of her QLC when finishing her undergrad in 2005 and rein-countered it in 2009 at the end of her masters degree. she has traveled the world, lived, loved and laughed with people she never thought possible but is currently trying very hard to find her happiness again. she is un/under-employed and wants to find a job where she feels she is making a difference to the world around her and doesn't want to stab her eye out everyday (she felt this way at a job working for a bank in the UK).

    i'm very excited to know i'm not alone out there and look forward to hearing other ppl's experiences. xox

  • Raivon Says:
    January 18th, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    I am so glad that i stubble upon this blog…I am so in the midst of a QLC! Look forward to get others insight!

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