for anyone feeling lost in their 20's, watch this video

I'm having a quarter-life crisis....or maybe more of a third-life crisis now that I'm in my late 20's. I've been thinking this through incessantly this past year and figured I'd compile some of my thoughts and how I've decided to slowly work through this to share with anyone else who might be feeling the same.

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[maynardewm]

I feel like so many millennial and now Gen-Z had quarter life crisis because there's so little stability. Everything is so expensive and feels so uncertain, dating is a nightmare, we literally cannot plan for our futures, we are just trying to get to tomorrow. And that's really unhealthy for us.

[lisettemarissa]

I’m not a big comment person but I feel I had to— I see a lot of myself in you (I’m now 39) from San Diego, moved to nyc late 20s and lived there for 5-6 years, I want to let you know what you’re going through is VERY normal, but for someone who’s gone through it I’m here to tell you this doesn’t fully go away— it means you’re evolving. Practicing gratitude daily and embracing the time alone — you’ll go back one day and be so thankful for it. Be easy on yourself, it’s ok to just enjoy being in the “moment”. If I can give any young woman advice on floating, do NOT put pressure on yourself, I met my husband in ny and didn’t get married until 37 and I have zero regrets not putting the society pressures or following my friends or ofhers timeline. Please please enjoy it now because it all went by like a snap of a finger. I think it’s AMAZING you moved to Paris — I wanted to move to London for awhile but I’m in DC and that’s ok haha. Please be kind to yourself and take in every experience. If I have one regret— it’s not realizing the time I had just sitting with myself in nyc. ❤❤ you got this x

[monetkumazawa]

This video could not come at a more perfect timing. I’m 25 right now and have felt a lot of this “crisis” in the past year. Thank you, Elena.

[sincerelyadwoa]

The fact that i would love to trade places with where you are in life. You feel stagnant? You’ve done amazing things in the past few years. You are living someone’s dream life.

[ThrivingGracefully]

Hi Elena, it was so nice to meet you in Paris. I just forwarded this video to my daughter, who is your age. This content is relevant to people of any age, really. Life can take on a "been there, done that" quality if you are the kind of person who likes challenge and novelty. And for slightly anxious, driver/striver types, it's also difficult to just live your life without a clear goal in mind. At 62, having been happily married for 32 years, having raised two great kids who are now adults, and being successful in business, I STILL struggle at times with the same feelings you describe. And anyone my age except the most jaded and hardened who are not in touch with their feelings, has these moments. These feelings propel one forward. Being ever so slightly (or maybe a lot) dissatisfied is a huge motivator for change and achievement. Balancing that with enjoying the moment is the art of a life well lived. You are doing a great job of that, even though it's difficult at times. Thank you for boldly sharing your journey with others. Say "Hi" to Paris for me!

[TheJJmags]

Elena this will be wonderful for you!
I am 35 years old and last year I lost the love of my life, my husband.
Life is full of surprises some tragic and some positive.
The point I’m trying to make is that life is too short, live your best life ❤

[FlightlessSkylark]

I love the message but MY WORD the editing is bananas! You’re so skilled
This def made me feel better today and is good for perspective

[carissa.estelle]

It’s nice to hear you’re going through the same thing, especially bc a lot of times I compare myself to influencers who get to do whatever they want/make good money/etc. in their mid 20’s and I’m here at 26 with no idea what I’m doing! But I think I’ve also come to realize there’s beauty in the unknown, I would hate my life to be predictable with the good husband, house and kids, it’s exciting to think about all the possibilities our lives can take!! -coming from someone just coming off her quarter life crisis 😂💗

[qxizgdc]

So relatable!! It is sometimes a bit nice to see so many people are going through the same challenges, no matter which country we are from 🤗🤗

[chiaracacialli]

What you spoke about reasons with me, even if I'm 22, and, although it does not give you a or - the - solution, knowing other people feel the same way, are going going through similar phases, is really comforting.
Thanks for sharing ❤

[XavierMedellin]

You'll figure it out Elena. In my twenties I didn't have a plan for anything and lived in the moment. My late twenties is when I figured out what I liked to do and went after it pedal to the metal. 🤟🏼 You'll feel this way if your purpose doesn't align with your heart and soul. if you believe in that sort of thing. 😁 But yes find those things you want to do and don't worry about who you will do it with. They'll find you!😉👊🏼 I'm 42 and I feel I just started living. Keep this 🫶🏼 full and share it. ✌🏼

[riahardcastle]

I felt the same way up until this year... I struggled a LOT with anxiety and depression for most of my life. Not to mention I hadn't found a partner or a community that truly felt like home. I never in a million years would have thought I'd ever say this but what helped me find the deepest peace I have ever known, more energy and overflowing excitement about waking up in the morning... has been faith. Again, NEVErrr did I think I'd become a Bible-thumping Christian, someone who looks forward to praying every day but truly, the sense of certainty, purpose, and the complete obliteration of my depression and anxiety is what has made me lean into this. Also, one out of every 1800 couples who pray together get divorced AND the longest and happiest marriages in pier review studies are often couples who met through shared faith. It took me a long time to come around, but when I saw the people in my life who had the most peace and purpose, they also had the most faith. A default to thanking God instead of overthinking/believing that you as a person need to have all the answers, you don't :) Maybe look in your life for the people who seem the happiest in who they are and how they live and get curious with them about what you can learn from them. I hope this helps <3 you'll get through this

[CynicalDuchess]

I'm in the same boat you're in. You're not alone in feeling these feelings :). I love your authenticity in this, it's super precious to have on YouTube when I feel like inauthenticity has taken over for a while. Something thats helped me move forward is realizing that much of what was holding me back was self denial, not listening to my gut, and trusting other people's words over mine. the second I began to lose the self doubt and trust in myself, I began to move forward again. <3

[ultrawhale]

I feel like I lived my early years satisfied with little to no dreams. But now that I'm older I have this feeling of NEEDING to abandon that comfy life. I want to pursue dreams that I didn't know I have, fill a void that I didn't know existed.

Now I have these big goals, with no clue how to get there, the only thing I know is that I won't reach them if I don't move. If I don't move on.

[lisajoos]

Elena I am SO impressed with you. I’m a 60 year old, Marketing chick, who also hit that wall (at 55 I would say) and ALL the techniques you are recommending are excellent. Yes, you moved to Paris but you also did a lot of stopping to understand what was going on with you. Asking yourself what’s working today, what’s not. You are incredibly talented. Feel like you are the new Barbara Walters of this generation. Your content (and I speak professional experience) is EXCELLENT. Keep on peeling away that onion. Keep creating the rich content you do. And you will find your path. Perhaps you are already on it (-:

[winslow_j]

This video is beautifully done, and I couldn’t agree more with everything you said. My quarter life crisis brought me moving to nyc alone…for a new chapter, to take a chance on myself in the unknown and just see what happens. I’m 6 months in and it’s been a journey for sure, but it was the best thing I could’ve done for myself coming from a small town 🤍 congrats to you for digging deep and making this change, very excited to see where France leads for you 🙏🏻 the magic is in the unknown!

[alexandratracey]

Every age has a crisis of some sort. Every season is about searching. If you're a thoughtful human, this sense of feeling lost will be a constant. I mean this in a good way. After all, there is so much out in this beautiful world. If you're comfortable, you must miss some of it.
Also, I think it's "crap" that you couldn't stay on YT indefinitely. I think about this a lot. The most interesting creatives (think Taylor Swift) stay interesting because they explore each phase of their life. I think I speak for a lot of your audience; I am invested to see what happens next. What is 10 years from now like? Is there a beautiful French boy that will drive you mad? As long as you are evolving, your content is going to mean something to us. :)

[ElenaAnna.]

From one Elena to another, congrats on working to bravely create the life you want! ✨ I had my 1/3rd life crisis in 2019. The launch of my first novel was on the eve of my 30th birthday - I'd had meaningful work & had travelled a fair bit in the years prior, but couldn't help but wish that the novel was a baby. A break-up and re-evaluation of life during the pandemic inspired a cross-country move and quest to have a family. It was so worth it, I met my partner and his daughters in 2020 and I love our little family. Looking forward to watching your life unfold in Paris as you go after what you want and expand your creative pursuits 🌿🇫🇷

[leslierp]

I never comment on here, but this really resonated with me. Beautiful video and love this style of storytelling.

[scrapgirl]

I lost my job after 30.5 years 2 months ago at 50. Your story right here is even relatable to me. Having to start over at 50 isn’t sitting right with me….. questioning can I do this.
Well…. On Tuesday I’ll be registering for graphic design. I haven’t been in school since I graduated high school 1991.
Can’t wait to follow your adventures.
I guess you can call my life in that pivot mode.