More Than Just Two Steps Behind
How are millennials supposed to handle being at such a disadvantage? I've got thoughts
Thank you for being a subscriber! Your support means the world.
The other day I was realizing things. So many things since I’ve had a LOT more time on my hands lately than not. Unfortunately, I’m “between” jobs right now. Fortunately, you’ll be be hearing a lot more from me as a result!
But what I realized is that, discovering new realizations doesn’t stop when you complete all of life’s expected hurdles, graduating school, getting a job etc. The UNEXPECTED occurrences make you realize things too… like how unprepared you really are and how many things you still don’t know and will need to learn the hard way. It’s insane that life doesn’t come with a warning label or an instruction manual.
But honestly, if it did… would be listen? Would we follow those instructions or warnings any better? Because right now with all the advice floating around from parents, teachers, gurus, and “woke” reality stars, it doesn’t seem like anyone’s got this figured out to a tee. Even ‘mo money, ‘mo problems is better advice than taking a billionaire or millionaire’s too seriously.
I’ve also been thinking that milestones are also a made up thing
Maybe it’s because millennials have had their lives so significantly shaken up SO. MANY. TIMES (recession, pandemic, housing crises, the Internet… to name a few) we can’t predict what’s going to happen next.
Sometimes I feel like we’re constantly in a state of shock. And the effects from that are in the pudding. According to a February 2024 NerdWallet survey, 61% of non-parent millennials (ages 27–42) don't plan to have children, while 25% do and 14% are unsure. This is up from 2012, when 42–43% of men and women said they planned to have or adopt children.
And of course there’s the housing situation. As of 2022, 24.7% of millennials expected to always rent instead of buying a home, up from 11% in 2018. A Redfin survey found that about 1 in 5 millennials doubt they will ever own a home, and a USA Today poll found that three quarters of millennials feel they're starting further behind financially than previous generations. And we are! We’re lagging behind because there aren’t nearly enough homes available and starter homes are a thing of the past. And thanks to this housing shortage, everything else is madness including higher borrowing rates, inflation, and even rising rents.
When you put all these numbers together, it’s a pretty big realization that millennials and younger generations are at a huge disadvantage. I myself just recently felt stable enough to pay my rent without getting a second job or asking my folks for a little extra help to get by. But it’s so precarious, that sense of safety. Soon as one building block is taken away, be it your job, your health, your security, the rest of the blocks fall with ease.
So, what are we bad millennials supposed to do?
bad mil·len·nial
/bad məˈlenēəl/ (pronunciation)
An ambitious, unique, innovative individual.
“i embrace the bad millennial label because i’m human. perfectly imperfect. trying to find my way in an uncertain world while just being myself.”
I’m trying to lean more into being a bad millennial and remind myself that I’ve been through so much worse, and the best part? I’ve survived 100% of it.
Sacrifices have to be made. That’s the biggest life realization. Whether you’re in your late 20s, 30s or even 40s, opting out of certain things is always an option. We don’t need to follow the rulebook of our parents’ past simply because that vision doesn’t exist anymore for our future.
And if anything, there’s a freedom in that. No more expectations baby!
That was one of my favorite parts of entering adulthood. Realizing that every step I take is my choice from now on. While yes that means every mistake and failure is something I have to own up to and accept, that also means that every celebration and success that I experience is something I created myself. And that pride and self-satisfaction? It’s worth all the sacrifice.
Keep on survivin’ y’all. It’s worth it with every hurdle you overcome.
Other good shit I’m thinking about
Why do I pause so much when making podcast episodes?
I’m trying my best to avoid filler words like “um” “like” and “you know” but in doing so that also makes for a lot of dead air while my mind’s racing to fill in that space with something else. The mental gymnastics are not fun. But I’m just going off the dome… appreciate my listeners who get what I’m trying to say anyway!
The trend of the summer with Bravo
Starting up my favorite segment again—Bad Reality, where I talk about my love of reality TV shows and the grip they have on my mental. Right now, Bravo has me messed all the way up and I went IN this merry-go-round. Let me know if you also think Bravo’s doing the MOST and the LEAST at the same damn time.
It’s hot
Why. And why am I surprised every summer. Like I get babied so much by the rainy winters and breezy spring in the Bay that I’m always taken aback when the heatwaves come in like we’re in freaking LA or something. Where do I need to flee to next? I love the beach but not if I’m sweating while in the water…
And that’s that!
If you made it this far, thank you SO much for the support! You’re a rockstar, a true bad millennial, and my new favorite reader.
Become a close friend on Instagram here! Or Twitter… Or Threads..
Or laugh with me on TikTok…