Growing up in the 21st century, times have certainly changed from that of our parents generations. The fear that every "emerging adult" feels, comparing themselves to the lives of those around them, has become the norm. Why is it that our parents seemed to have it so much easier than we do? Well, besides the economy, the other answer is simple: social media.

Before computers, before smart phones, before Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Vine and Snapchat, people didn't have this curtain-less window to peer into other people's lives. My mother was married by 23 and had two children, a home and a successful career by age 30. Besides the fact that she's the hardest working woman I know, she credits her success to one thing, determination. She didn't have any excess distractions deterring her from her goals. Sure, she had bills, she had issues with her family, sometimes she fell ill, or tired, but she didn't have the pressure of success building on her back. She did not care what others thought of her, nor did she care what others were doing with their lives. Once she met my dad and had moved out of her parents house, she couldn't care less what people from her high school were doing with their lives. So, why is the situation so different for me? That's not a difficult question; I'm obsessed with social media.

There's a large age gap in the "Millennial Generation". Some define it as those who reached young adulthood around the new millennium, 2000, while others say it encompasses anyone born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. The graph above, from Business Insider, shows that despite who people define as millennials, the majority age of those on social media are ages 18 to 24, followed by those ages 25 to 34. Now, this isn't to say adults don't use social media, because believe me there isn't anything I love more than someone's grandparent commenting something hilarious and adorable on Facebook. This is saying that social media, in some aspects, hinders the growth of the younger generation.

Social media has made it easier now more than ever to stay in contact with people you like, and unfortunately, with those that you don't like as much as well. If I had a dollar for every time my roommates and I sat around on a night off saying "did you see what so-and-so posted on Instagram?" I would be able to pay for my own Netflix account (shout out to my boyfriend for his password!) I consider myself a kind person; I try not to judge people, I always give people the benefit of the doubt and treat others the way I'd like to be treated. The person who I've learned I judge the most, is me. I'd love to stop comparing myself to how thin that old friend has gotten over the years, or to how happy the girl I've lost touch with seems with her boyfriend, or how successful my sorority sister seems at her new job, but unfortunately it's just something that's become engrained in my head via social media, society and a just hint of self-esteem issues.

So, millennials, whoever you may be, this is my call to you: let's stop judging each other, and more importantly, let's stop judging ourselves! Honestly, if you wanted someone in your life to be a role model to you, or someone to look up to or compare yourself to, you'd have them in your real, day-to-day life; they wouldn't be someone you secretly stalk on social media every day. We all know how easy it is for someone to make themselves seem better off than they actually are, because let's face it we've all done it too, so let's stop letting ourselves be cat-fished by our friends on the internet. Step away from the smartphone and take a look at how successful you are with those around you. If you feel you aren't where you'd like to be just yet, then keep the phone down and get yourself there. You can do it, and I'm not just a pretend-successful internet author telling you that.