Are You Going Through a Life Crisis? Half of Us Do

Almost half of the British public have either had or are going through a "life crisis", according to a poll commissioned by the Open University. Also, it isn't just those of an age for a mid-life crisis who feel  they need to make changes. Almost a third of those surveyed have been through a life crisis between the ages of 18 and 30, suggesting millennials are susceptible.

When asked what factors caused their crisis, a lack of career fulfilment and unfulfilled dreams topped the list. To combat this, 39% said embarking on a new career would help solve their issues and 24% said learning something new would have the same effect.

While more than two thirds of those surveyed wished they spent more time pursuing their personal passions, 27% didn't think they had time to do so, with long hours of work and social pressures swallowing up free time. One in ten of those surveyed said they do not have any personal passions or interests outside of their career. However, 41% said that taking up a new interest or hobby would help address their problems.

To help people restore their personal balance, The Open University is urging people to discover their "Passion Plan" and realise their unfulfilled ambitions. It is encouraging people to explore their interests by learning something new or pursuing further study in order to address the issues associated with their life crises. Being a university, I guess that isn't too surprising, but it could still be good advice.

Clare Riding, head of careers and employability services at the Open University said: “Almost two fifths of people cited embarking on a new career as a solution to their ‘life crisis’ so while finding a career you love can be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding. Taking time to explore your interests, both in and out of work, will help you to realise your career ambitions and will support you in finding the role that’s right for you.”

Personally, I did go through a time of questioning what I wanted to do next with my life after my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic was published earlier this year. I'm not sure I'd quite call it a "life crisis", but it was probably something along those lines.

After going to an afternoon of lectures on witch hunts at Queen Mary University of London, I was also very tempted to have a career change and apply for a place to do an MA - and I might still do so, although not this year. This year I decided that what I really wanted to do was write another book. I've put in a proposal to publisher Moon Books and am now waiting to hear back. Wish me luck!

The picture shows me at my book launch party

Links and previous related posts
http://www.open.ac.uk/
http://www.moon-books.net/books/pagan-portals-candle-magic
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/05/worlds-of-witchcraft-african-and.html