Debunking the millennial myth
We need to stop feeling so self-entitled, the world owes us nothing
Us millennial's, we get a bad wrap.
We’re often branded as lazy, self-entitled, defunct of focus, arrogant, uninspired and too easily gratified. We’re almost always labelled as wasteful, impatient and even dysfunctional.
We’re lamented by press and media, spokesmen and psychologist as being a wasted generation, a generation that never moved out from under their parents roof. A generation that couldn’t buy a house. A generation that missed out on the top jobs. A generation that’s been given everything but thus far, amounted to nothing.
Well, that’s the outside opinion in all its extreme glory. In reality, it may not be that divisive. But lets face it, it’s generally not positive. It’s generally pretty shit.
I’d invite the interested reader to watch Simon Sinek’s monologue rant on millennial psychology; his talk really lands my point.
However, the sad fact is, it might just be true. And I’m a millennial. This is a millennial speaking (writing) to you now. These words come straight from the mouth of a horse.
And the reason I’m suspicious it’s true is that usually the voice fuelling the flame of negativity, fanning the stereotype; is one of a millennial disposition.
It’s usually a millennial voice that’s lamenting the economic, political or social landscapes around them as an excuse for their lack of belief in the system.
The system is tough, that’s true. But it’s never been easier. Correction, it’s never been easy. That’s the deeper truth here.
Every generation has struggled through the same issues and many generations have struggled through far more desperate times. It’s all about perspective.
Here’s a post I spotted on Instagram that really typifies my point:
This isn’t uncommon. In fact, it’s pretty damn common. There’s hundreds of social posts of this nature and it really taps into the sentiment that a lot of millennials hold close to home.
Now, some of you may read the above and feel it resonates with your current situation and that’s ok, but really it’s simply a mindset and one that needs shifting.
Our parents and Grandparents were battling different but equally testing environments; wars, famines, economic depressions, fear of terrorism, more wars, wars that nearly happened but didn’t quite materialise…
I could go on.
But, we’re actually living in the longest peace time known to man. And that’s just for starters.
I strongly believe that the only thing limiting the millennial generation is our constant desire to engrain ourselves in the above mindset and allow external opinions to drive and shape us.
It’s time to break free from these shackles.
The truth is, we have more resource, more social power, better healthcare, more wealth, more opportunity, more technology than ever before and it’s time to start powering your life from these core principles; opposed to finding excuses to not be motivated.
As with every generation that passes through time we have the potential to achieve monumental things and it’s time to start believing we can do just that.
Peace.
