Lost Without a Lesson Plan: Navigating Millennial Independence Without Guidance
The Paradox of Convenience
It’s 8:05AM and I’ve somehow managed to transport m lifeless body filled with cheap vodka and minute maid juice from the piece of slab in my dorm referred to as a bed to my 8AM biology class. In that moment a sense of pride washes over me. Not because I’m suddenly so eager to learn about homeostasis and molecular manipulation, but because I made it. My credit for being present has been awarded to me — knowing I earned it. What follows next is a wave of dread as I realize I’ll be required to perform this same song and dance every Monday and Wednesday for the next four months as I scan over my syllabus with weary resignation.
It doesn’t stop there. I’m also surrounded by weekly campus activities, recreational sports, community service orgs, Greek life (06 to the good bruhs), parties, college games, study groups and did I mention parties?
Point is — there was always something to do.
Even better — I was also surrounded by thousands of young adults who had nothing but time and bottom-shelf libations on their hands.
Building a social life required zero effort in college. You had everything at your fingertips. The 3 F’s.
Friends. Fun. Festivities.
We took for granted what I would call “convenient proximity”.
It spoiled us.
Life After College
As we tread deeper down the path of adulthood post-college we finally realize just how good we had it. Your social life is put on the back burner as you go into survival mode desperately attempting to get your career off the ground while dealing with real-life bills and student loans (my favorite). You’re doing everything you can just to keep your head above water. And those friends you made out of convenience back in college? They’re doing the same damn thing.
Just trying to make it.
Unfortunately, this burning desire to “make it” turns some of us into shells of our former selves. Hobbies are an afterthought. Friends more distant. Time not as abundant.
Some of your friends are getting married, other are becoming parents for the first time, some have been completely warped by hustle culture.
But can you blame us? No. No you can not. And to prove it, allow me to statistically show you just how ducked we are.
Depressing Millennial Stats
A 2019 Federal Reserve study found that the median net worth of families headed by someone aged 35–44 was 34% lower in 2016 compared to 2001, even when adjusting for inflation. And a Pew Research poll that same year showed that a majority of millennials believe they’ll be financially worse off than their parents.
Oh wait….there’s more!
In 1978 the average price of a house was $48,300 (equivalent to about $199,000 today), according to data from the St. Louis Fed, compared to a median price of $295,000 currently.
So yeah….you mix a crippling economy with culture who was taught to only sleep when they die and this is what you get.
A lost generation.
I am a part of that generation. I graduated college 9 years ago. At 33 I’m just now prioritizing my mental health and happiness. I’ve abandoned my dreams of becoming a gazillionaire by age 40. I don’t want to wait until I die to go to sleep. I won’t need it then. I don’t care if my hobbies bring in a whopping $0.00 a month. It’s a source of happiness and a healthy escape for me. I plan activities for myself on a weekly basis. I make the conscious effort to reach out and spend time with my friends.
I got my 3 F’s back.
I wrote this article to encourage myself and my peers to continue finding ourselves. In order to do that you have to put you first. Because if you don’t — no one else will do it for you.
‘Till next time…
