Everybody has their occasional downs in life–the most common are caused by breakups, death in the family, failure to achieve something or a major fight with somebody you care about.

What most people don’t know yet, however, is that long period of depression experienced by young adults more commonly termed as quarter-life crisis. The profile of these people who normally experience quarter-life crisis are in their early twenties, usually new graduates and are on their first or second job.

There have been many speculations as to what may be causing this so-called quarter-life crisis. It is said that the harsh realities of life are usually hard to swallow for these young, idealistic individuals, once they realize that the world isn’t as perfect or normal as thought it was. The most common cause is work, when they realize the empty promise of chasing money and a promotion, and the sense of loss at having let go of what they’re truly passionate about. It’s a common feeling of being unsure of one’s identity, what you stand for in this world, and what life should really be about.

I myself am still experiencing hints of it, but through great introspection and support from my family friends, I was able to get out of it somewhat whole. Here are the 5 most effective ways in which I was able to do so:

1. Know who you are. There is nothing worse than being lost in a world where you don’t know exactly who you are, what you stand for and what you value. At times when situations get confusing and messed up, people who are rooted in solid values normally fare better than those who aren’t. A solid set of values is like a compass: it guides you on which direction you should take, even if you can’t see so clearly ahead of you because of a storm.
2. Look to your family and loved ones for help. At times we get so caught up in attempting to climb the corporate ladder and the anxieties that we feel with regards to our status in society (am I rich enough? good-looking enough? smart enough? succesful enough?). It helps to be in the company of those who truly appreciate who we are, no matter what we are in any stage in our lives. It’s a great way to build morale, remind you of what is “real” in life andmaybe even help remind you of who you really are.
3. Do what you love. Let’s say you’ve always wanted to be a writer but while growing up, you were told that writers don’t make much money. You won’t get too far in the corporate ladder as writer. So you end up taking up Management in college, get an MBA and work for one of the biggest multinationals in the world. You make big money, you have a nice car, lots of “friends”, but somehow something’s still missing. You know what it is. There’s nothing more painful in life than denying what it is you truly love to do (aside from, of course, denying who you really are. But passions are just as big a part of you as your values). Start out by engaging yourself in these passions again, by bring them back into your life little by little. Start it out as a hobby. Escalate. Baby steps. Do not be scared.
4. Do not be scared. Do not be scared to admit to yourself that there is a problem or that something’s wrong at this stage in your life. Some people wander through life, choosing to ignore these early signs of being lost and denying their real selves. These are the people who, at 40 or 50, suddenly find themselves in a much deeper depression, after realizing that they wasted away their lives doing things that don’t mean much to them after all. And by the time they realize it, they don’t have the same energy, zeal and enthusiasm as they used to. If you feel that you are not living your life the way you ought to, look deep inside yourself and decide on what you want from life. And act on it.
5. Get off your bum an act! Of course, much introspection alone won’t get you anywhere. Have the courage and drive to act on the things that you feel you need to change in your life. Want to start writing again? Keep a diary or a blog for your thoughts and observations. Was it always your dream to surf like a pro? Plan a surf weekend once every quarter to get back into shape. Unearth your old guitar from the attic. Volunteer as a teacher in a nearby preschool or daycare center. Set up a studio. Buy a camera.

The point is to never ignore your passions. Because these are the very things that define who you are. Passionate people are much more interesting than those who do things just for the sake of it. Do what you love and don’t be scared to let the whole world know about it!

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” – Mitch Albom

“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” – John Maxwell