Say what you want about my generation, but we millennials are a truly hardworking bunch. As a member of this age group, I see it first-hand every day- 20 something's slaving away to get their degrees while working one or more jobs to put themselves through school. I think millennials deserve more credit than we're given- there has never been a more competitive time to try to enter the working world and begin a career. The pressure is always on, and we've always got to be thinking about our next advancement or career move. Millennials are motivated, focused, and ready to put in the blood, sweat, and tears necessary to get a job in today's market. But there is one massive mistake our demographic is making- thinking that we're supposed to have life all figured out and under control at this point in our lives.
Recently, I've been continuously applying for jobs, making post-graduation plans, and attempting to maintain a balance between my work, school, and social lives. I'm being pulled in so many directions and trying to put in the level of focus and effort that each aspect deserves is exhausting. Not only is it virtually impossible to stay organized and remember everything, there is not enough time in the day to handle it all. I'm not going to lie, I've had several mental breakdowns over the last few months. It's crazy to think that so much of our developmental years are spent in school and now that chapter is coming to a close. While incredibly exciting and freeing, the stress from trying to make the right choices can be overwhelming.
Millennials are tough, determined, and resilient. We don't crack under pressure. We see an obstacle, tackle it firsthand, and keep moving forward. But I think many of us fail to realize that we don't have to have all the answers and solutions to everything. We are perfectionists and want to do the very best we can. The level of uncertainty we face during this stage of life makes this an impossible task.
Millennials- keep kicking ass and taking names. Don't ever let anyone knock your work ethic. Always be the first one in the office and the last one out at the end of the day. Go the extra mile, push yourself to be the best version of yourself every day, but don't forget this one crucial fact. The biggest disservice you could do to yourself is thinking that you're supposed to have life all figured out. Transform every mistake and failure into learning experiences. Learn to love this stressful, wild time in life where everything is confusing and up in the air. The overthinking, stressing, and obsessive worrying only robs you of the daily joys and happiness of being young and free. Because at the end of the day, we are all just trying to figure ourselves out and find the right path to take.
