I was having a discussion with some of my friends regarding our generation- Generation Y and it really got me thinking. While I definitely appreciate other generations and get along with them, it is funny to think of how truly different we are. You wouldn’t think being born between the early 1980’s and 2000, would make that much of a difference, but as I look more into my values and those of my peers, it is becoming overwhelmingly obvious.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, the 90’s were some of the best times. Boy bands, amazing shows, big hair, ridiculous fashion and we loved to be active, always outside! Generation Y could look at Generation Z and think, “Man they are lazy”. Everything is so easily accessible, just waiting at their fingertips. They eat and breathe phones and computers. They don’t know what it’s like to have to wait or to actually have to go over to their friend’s house to talk to them. I suppose Generation X could have said the same things about us.
Generation Y is a different breed. While we are hard workers, ambitious and confident, we kind of take it to a whole new level. It seems as though we know best. We have this sense of entitlement, we think, rather- we know– that we are awesome and to be constantly praised, only makes sense. We aren’t afraid to question authority, and we believe what our parents told us, that we can achieve ANYTHING! There is no dream too big for the Generation Y. To have a family and a good job used to mean that you “made it”, but not for us! Now it’s about if we enjoy our job or how much money can we make? We are seeking to discover the next big idea. Of course these are generalizations, which might not ring true for everyone, but when I look at myself, I see all of this.
I notice qualities that generations before me wouldn’t understand, but of course my Generation Y peeps totally get. In the last four years, I have held five jobs. Sure, I did have two jobs at once (part-time jobs = hard-worker), so it’s more like three real jobs in four years. No, I wasn’t fired. I simply sought better for myself. The thing is, I know my worth and I feel if I am not happy in a position, why stay? If I was promised certain things, like growth and higher pay and I haven’t received it, well my friend, it’s time to start looking. And there is always something else. My dad always teases me saying, “so are you interviewing now” because he knows I am never content, but after talking this over with some of my friends, they feel the same and blame it on our generation. We get bored easily and are onto the next big thing quickly, without really thinking about it. For a while I was nervous to even get married because I know how fast I change my mind. Like I mentioned before, we do know what’s best for us, it’s a part of being practical and I did know marriage was good for me. It’s important to be grounded in some way. I think of this as a blessing and a curse. I know what I want, and there is no doubt in my mind I will get it, but at what cost?
During this discussion, one person in the group said that there will be a very sobering time in our lives when we realize we can’t do any better. This has nothing to do with us, because we can always do better, ha! It is because the endless opportunities to switch to the next best job or to get a promotion every year, will no longer be available because it is simply not sustainable. Depress mode hit hard when I thought of this. Will I ever be content? We are lucky that there are jobs available and that we do get promotions, but eventually you would think this would end. Will I then settle down, have a baby and soon resent it? Crazy how selfish this all sounds, right?
These are real life struggles and up until a week ago, I thought I was struggling all alone, but it does seem like a generational thing. I guess the best advice I can give myself is to keep it going while it lasts. Much like life, all of this will come to an end one day, but I will enjoy it and keep fighting for what I know I deserve. Happiness is the goal and it is definitely in my future. I am just so grateful to my family, friends and teachers who have stroked my ego for all of these years, thus further helping me believe I am amazing and will achieve great things 🙂
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