The Real Truth about Quarter Life Women and Midlife Women

April 16, 2012 - PRLog -- The Real Truth about Quarter Life Women and Midlife Women
(They Now Have More in Common Than They Think!)

Existential angst was once the domain of women and men in their forties.  However, it’s now affecting countless more young women in their mid twenties and up.   And although it’s not accompanied with greying hair, hot flashes and the urge to date men who are half one’s age (not a very appealing concept in your twenties), its every bit the same as a conventional midlife crisis.  

Its afflicting countless young women today who are feeling the pressure to conform while they battle the overwhelming feeling of depression at the thought of finally succumbing to the ‘rat race,’ that dreadful urban working existence that consists of years spent trying to get ahead with little time for leisure or contemplation.

These women are part of the Millennials, the generation 75 million strong who now outnumber the Baby Boomers.   Born between 1981 and 2002 they represent one of the largest and most diverse generations to date.  These are the kids raised on Google, who believe that everything should come to them just as easily as making friends on Facebook.  Their parents instilled in them the notion that they could have anything, be anything or do anything they want.  The world was indeed their oyster.

So what happens when you’re twenty five in a time when the most of the world is on its knees after the onslaught of an economic setback?    Factor in a declining economy and limits to the world of once endless possibilities and young women today are now faced with huge insecurities and are experiencing pressures once felt by women in their forties.   Most are worried about money and fear that they’re not earning enough.  Others face societal pressure to marry and have children.  ''Who am I, what do I want and how do I get it?  Not knowing the answers to those questions leads to feelings of panic, confusion, or lack of motivation.  It’s easy to feel alone, that everyone else is stable and secure and has figured their lives out.  

What’s more, help does not appear to be on its way.  The majority of millennial women feel that they have no experts and they have no support, apart from each other.

A little further along in life's journey are women in the throes of a midlife crisis.   These women make up roughly 43 million women in North America and are the generation of women who were inspired in the 80’s by the Helen Gurley Browns (‘You Can Have It All’), bursting with hope and optimism that their lives were going to be a radical departure from their mother’s.  Now reflecting back on the past forty plus years, these women may regret the compromises and tradeoffs they’ve made, and feel that their lives are passing them by.  “Who am I?” “Does my life count for anything?” They experience an inexplicable loneliness as they fear they have no real self-identity and conscious of gradually fading beauty and energy, they sink into depression.

Recently one midlife crisis mother and quarter life crisis daughter asked, “Could the two generations come together and learn from their collective experiences?”  The answer was an emphatic, ‘Yes!’ as these two women perceived an opportunity to bring quarter and midlifers together and the brainchild for a travel club for women who call themselves the “S. Trippers” was born.  

From their collective experiences mother and daughter observed similarities in their own stages of existential angst and noted how each generation instinctively sought out the other for various reasons.  The younger generation often enjoys the company of midlife women, looking to them for inspiration, wisdom, and advice, while the fortysomethings commonly seek out the younger to be energized by their ideas and youthful vitality.  Both groups of women equally share a penchant and a longing for adventure, to break free from the daily grind to travel and explore new horizons.

The mother and daughter duo saw that travel would be the perfect backdrop for joining the generations.  Travel by its very nature has a way of bringing about change and initiates a chance to learn more about oneself, the world, and the way one chooses to interact within it. And when one travels a little further afield than just the backyard, travel can really boost one’s self esteem and inject a brand new spark of enthusiasm and excitement in one’s life.  When women travel together, a trip becomes a ‘real vacation,’ a time to renew body, mind and spirit’ and to enjoy the camaraderie of like minded travel companions with easy laughter and easy communication.

Says group tour organizer and original S. Tripper, Annie Pool, “The S.Tripper tours are guaranteed to be nothing short of pure fun, even better than a mother and daughter vacation where every woman can just be herself, let her hair down and try something brand new.  One of the destinations we’re planning is a trip to the island of Madeira in Portugal during Carnival next February.  Anyone can dress up for Carnivale and be part of the spectacular parade they put on every year.  If it’s anything like the S.Tripper’s Tour of Ireland for Aspiring Best Selling Authors (for creative women of all ages) this summer, it will be an absolute adventure!”

Ultimately, Millenials and Baby Boomers have a lot to offer each other.  A quarter or midlife crisis doesn’t have to be an earth shattering experience.  It can be viewed as an opportunity to review our lives so far and trace our steps.  What one has been through and what was learned along the way can provide valuable insights to set off into the unknown, and travel a new terrain for the next adventures in life.  The obstacles of fear, anxiety and the uncertainty of the unknown can be turned into opportunities for growth and the expansion of one’s self, one’s horizons and one’s own circle of friends.  And travel is a perfect vehicle to bring about changes like these.

“Who knows what good things will come out of this?” says Annie Pool.  Bringing the generations together can only bring about wonderful things.  It could change the way we view ourselves, our abilities, our futures and the way we relate to each other.  We could end up inspiring and cheering each other on and developing lasting relationships with others who could make an impact on our lives for years to come.”

If you would like to join the fun and become an S.Tripper, or would like more information about the S.Tripper’s exciting prelaunch “Amazing Race” event in downtown Victoria, please contact

Annie Pool at S.TrippersTravel@yahoo.com
or visit www.facebook.com/SoulfulTrippers

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