Published on January 18, 2017

It was an awkward position I found myself in when I discovered that I myself am actually a millennial. All throughout my twenties, I would partake in the memes, conversations, and political sides of things making fun of millennials until someone said, “Wait, aren’t you a millennial?” I could have sworn it started at 1990.

I never thought of myself as a millennial because of some mature differences. I worked hard for my education, nothing was handed to me, and from what today would call an “abusive childhood”, I now have thick skin because of it. I mean, honestly, who would consider it a compliment to be a part of the most narcissistic, self-absorbed generation of young adults that are known for whining, comparing, abhor anyone and everything that came before them, and complain about their wages? The boomers gave us computers and cell phones, while we (millennials) contributed to the creation of emojis and selfies (I know Im leaving out a lot :) but still).

Sad thing is, I'm doomed. The millennial aura consumes me without being given permission. It runs in my veins, it’s in everything I was exposed to, my friends I grew up with, the part-time jobs I was able to get, the television shows advertised to me, the SNL skits and more. It’s unavoidable! Therefore, I see it as my job to be the voice of reason amongst my generation, to be the middle man between annoying millennials and boomers, to be the level ground I work on with one foot in what I am and the other in what I’d hope to be.

Every once in a while, you will see a boomer that pretends they’re a millennial. Those are the most fun to interact with. It’s like talking to my dark side. “You’re better than this! Don’t think that. Go back and embrace your boomerism. Trust me, you don’t want to be one of us. Run.”

If you were to ask the average millennial what they want to do in life, 90% would say travel the world, work for myself remotely and live life to the fullest! Amen, I hear ya, but reality is less than 5% of the human race will get to do that. So, plan B? -- You’re a negative human being and I refuse to be around such poison. -- No wonder all my friends are 10+ years older than me.

Naturally, I am mentally programmed with the desire to work remotely, travel the world and live life to the fullest, but I had to learn to make a plan b in order to survive and not break my own heart when boomers or reality slaps me across the face to wake me up. 

Therefore, here is some advice for all my fellow millennials:

1)   Have a plan B. Commonsense says you must if you’re a logical person. Have your goals and dreams, but also put in place worse case scenarios. This way when plan A doesn’t work, you won’t be too broken-hearted. You will have drive for the next thought out plan and move forward instead of being stuck in the mud with nothing to do but partake in boycotts and marches.

2)   Keep in the back of your mind this phrase: It could always be worse. That is the truest statement I have ever heard. Remembering that has kept me strong and motivated. When I’m going through a rough time, I stop and think about all of the situations I could be in and count my blessings and put that smile right back on my face.

3)   Never forget history. Never forget who came before us, how far we have come in life, whether it be your own or another. Remembering this will give you two strengths: 1) encouragement, seeing how far you’ve come, how hard you worked. 2) and humility. We all slip-up, make mistakes, take wrong turns. We are all in the same boat together.

4)   Make an effort to replace every complaint with a positive thought. I can’t say “Make an effort to never complain” because I think at this point in life, humanity is incapable of not. But instead, replace it with a positive outlook. If you complain about your boss micromanaging you, tell yourself a positive thing about your job. This is an action step, not a mental check like #2. This will become a habit once you force it for a little bit.

5)   Stop blaming everybody. We all make our own choices in life and no one (hardly) ever held you by the neck with a knife and forced you to move out, take this job, date that person. Own up to every choice you make, the good and the bad ones.

6)   Pat yourself on the back. Pat, not hug. There is a massive difference between hugging yourself and patting yourself; Loving yourself and being obsessed with yourself. Find a happy medium.

7)   Every dream and goal coming to pass did not come easy. Learn to work hard for what you want in life. Nothing comes easy that brings utter and complete joy and happiness to one’s life. It’s hard work to be a good mom, be available for both my spouse and children. I willfully place myself and “my time” on the back burner in order to love and be there for my loved ones—but that’s hard work! It’s hard work making sure you are doing a job right, the best of your abilities because that means you’re not slacking or cutting corners, you’re working hard to produce the best not only for yourself but those you’re working for. That will not go unnoticed.

8)   Return to books. We are such a tech world now. We forget history was recorded in written word. Even cursive is going extinct. I used to joke around with my husband and say we could write code in cursive and no one would understand, but then we privately teach our kids cursive on the side, so we have to come up with something else. There is just something about picking up a book and peeling back the pages, and mentally going back in time when most didn’t have a care in the world.

I will close out my thoughts with this quote:

“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” - Friedrich Neitzsche

** Disclaimer: I by no means is saying that every millennial is like the majority. Clearly, I'm not; and I’m sure you’re not either…..Please don’t cyber bully me!!!! 

Shaunna Kaufmann