Master the Art of the Life Pivot

They say that when you turn 25, your frontal cortex finally finishes baking. That’s right—your brain officially becomes an adult. You’re now equipped to reason, make decisions, and control your impulses.

What they don’t tell you? That everything in your life can—and probably will—change. Fast.

You’ve read the title, so if you’re still here, you’ve either (a) survived a quarter-life crisis, (b) are barreling toward momentous change, or (c) just want the hot gossip on the year I briefly lost my mind.

Not everyone hits a quarter-life crisis, but speaking from personal experience, it’s an era like no other. Up is down, down is up, and nothing feels solid. It’s like living inside Katy Perry’s “Hot & Cold” circa 2008—you don’t really want to stay, but you can’t quite leave either. Because… where are you even going? What needs to change?

This season of chaos often leads to a shift—a pivot. Whether you leave a relationship, move to a new city, go back to school, get a new job (or, if you’re feeling ambitious, do all four like I did), you’re making a change because the life you’ve built so far no longer fits. You’ve outgrown it. And that’s okay. Nothing lasts forever (not derogatory).

Hindsight, of course, is 20/20. But looking back, that chaotic season taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my life—about self-worth, boundaries, healing, and ultimately how to master the art of the pivot.

So, if you’re a twenty-something on the brink—or just feeling existential on a random Wednesday night—this one’s for you:

Grab a pen and a notebook. Yes, an actual pen. In the age of AI and algorithm fatigue, there’s still nothing quite as grounding as spilling your thoughts onto paper.

Carve out time in your day. No, really—make time. Sit down and brain dump. You’ll be amazed at what comes up: how often you start sentences with “I,” how you still can’t spell “convenient” without autocorrect, and that maybe, just maybe, you should call your mom.

Journaling doesn’t just boost self-awareness (and God knows we all need more of that); it also helps manage stress and supports emotional healing, according to Duke Health & Wellbeing. So write. Explore your feelings. Question them. Rant. Cry. Reflect—then release.

Journaling is sexy. It’s also the gateway drug to therapy (easy, tiger—one step at a time). But it’s a hobby you can pick up and drop anytime. If you’re feeling lost, this is where you begin. The answers are already in you. This is how we coax them out.

Are you a strong, independent woman who don’t need no man? Same—and yes, that double negative was intentional, babes. You may not need a man (period, queen), but you do need your people: your besties, your siblings, your ride-or-dies, the coworker who became family. The ones whose chats are pinned at the top of your iMessage (sorry, Android users). Yeah, them.

It’s tempting to self-isolate when life feels like a mess. You don’t want anyone to see you raw, unsure, or vulnerable. Unless, of course, you’re have Cancer or Scorpio placements in your birth chart—you’ve already cried twice today.

But as someone who’s isolated before, I urge you: don’t. You’re in a period of deep reflection, and your mind is ping-ponging from “How did I end up here?” to “Surely, I’ll laugh about this eventually?” You need a grounded sounding board. Someone to reflect back your strength, your light, your magic—even when you forget it.

Lean on your people. That’s what they’re there for.

This part’s hard—especially when you’re tiptoeing into the shallow end of adulting. But yes, I’m telling you to go outside and play. Explore. Reconnect with your inner child, or whatever that therapist on TikTok says. When’s the last time you did something for the first time? Or did something simply because you loved it?

Whether you’re in crisis or just feeling disconnected, go back to what made you feel alive. Bake. Paint. Go on a solo movie date. Train for a 5k (okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves). Whatever. Just play!

You might stumble into your next chapter by accident. Curiosity during times of confusion is a superpower. And at the very least, a little joy can soften the sharp edges of your day.

Let’s recap: you’ve reflected, connected, cried (probably), danced a little, and rediscovered what lights you up. You’ve started to remember what you want. What you deserve. What your life could feel like.

So now—decide. What’s next? What do you want? How will you build it?

And here’s the kicker: there’s no wrong answer. Whether you become a fitness instructor or suddenly want to go to law school (okay, maybe sit with that one), your pivot is yours. It is right because you chose it. And so it is.

Did you know you don’t have to have it all figured out ? Radical, right? You just have to trust that the shift happening now is guiding you somewhere better. Be kind to yourself. You’re not lost—you’re becoming. I promise.

It won’t all make sense now. But one day, you’ll look back and realize the pivot didn’t break you—it built you. Keep going! I’ll be here along the way.  

-Your unofficial, online big sister