Imagine being lumped in the middle of the most criticized, mocked, and discussed generation. There is a lot of coverage these days about the problem with Millennials. We are easily labeled as "idealistic", "self-absorbed" and "entitled.” Media frames us as the generation that is ruining society. "We are a disgrace." "We are what is wrong with the world." Yet, I am proud of my generation. While the endless selfies, the drastic “addiction” to technology, and the high rate of youth unemployment might indicate that we are the problem, there is absolutely nothing wrong with us.
The problem isn’t with Millennials at all. The problem is expecting us to pursue previous generations’ idea and approach to the American dream. There is not a one size fits all plan to success. It is not laid in stone. It is not a cookie cutter plan. We aren’t made to be the same. The world has changed. We've been told our whole lives to get a good education to get a good job. Get married, buy a home, have babies, raise kids, retire, and then, you will finally earn the right to live. This is what we were told was successful. If we defy the norm, we are labeled as the “lazy ones” or the “careless ones.” We are ruining our future if we defy what is expected.
We inherited this idea and roadmap from our parents, our school, our town, and our media. This plan might have worked for our parents. However, I would say that the divorce rates and the decline in pension security prove that this roadmap didn’t suit them either. This is because not everyone is the same. Not everyone will have the same life, and everyone has different goals.
Let me be clear. We want to have the ability to mold the American Dream. We want to be self-sufficient and financially independent from our parents. We value our life. We value our family and our community. We value the contribution from previous generations, and we want others to value our contributions just as much. Yes, we can value all that and still enjoy taking selfies at every moment because we want to remember the good times. We are redefining how to be successful. We don’t have a certain order, but we have an end goal. We want to be happy.
Here's my recommendation for this so-called Millennial problem: go do what you love, and when you do, be unapologetic about it. Look inside and get clear on what success and happiness look like to you. Pursue it in the direction and pace you want to.
Explore what you love. Start somewhere. Just don't stand still. Learn hard, explore your options and fail fast. You will discover what you're here to do.
We are all individuals. We aren’t a generation. I am not a number. I am not a statistic. Yes, I am a Millennial by previous generations’ standards and beliefs. Yet, I am going to be the one who is open-minded, hardworking, and moldable. I’m not ruining the world. I’m changing it. I’m making this a life that I want to live. I’m pursuing happiness, and happiness isn’t the destination; it’s the journey. Isn’t that the goal for everyone?
