Millennials are constantly being judged for things they like, do, believe in, and support. Let's change that. Here are a few of the judgments I've noticed - as a millennial - that Generation X'ers and Baby Boomers have expressed.
1. Liking technology too much.
First, I'll even admit that I know that myself and other millennials spend too much time on our phones at times. But it really is a great tool for keeping in touch with long distance friends and family. I just graduated from college, and seeing my college friends and past roommates every day isn't possible anymore. That technology allows me to at least speak to them on occasion, to keep the friendships alive, tell them I miss them, and plan the hangouts we can fit into our busy, conflicting lives.
2. Netflix obsessions.
You're probably just mad that you had to wait for your shows to come on TV each week, if you even had one in your home. *Laughs* In all seriousness, it's a stress reliever, and binge watching doesn't have that many repercussions. We also focus on our responsibilities too. We have a balance, even if it's not exactly equal.
3. Acting like we don't care about anything.
We tend to pretend like things don't bother us so we trick ourselves into believing that we don't. It's easier that way. I'm sure you've heard of reverse psychology. Sometimes it's necessary to use it on ourselves, so it'll hurt less when something doesn't work out as planned.
4. Style choices.
Clothes, makeup, shoes, hair, piercings, tattoos, and more. You name it, we've probably been judged for it. Millennials should be able to express themselves without lectures from Generation X and Baby Boomers.
5. Music tastes.
Everyone likes different music. Some people like many genres. Some dislike a certain type. Disliking a certain genre and belittling a person for liking that genre are two completely different things. Don't do it. Respect the music.
6. Holding onto our childhoods.
Or at least some aspects of them. Some millennials have bought items that we had in younger years on Amazon or in stores that have returned to production. Or at least wanting them. 90's babies, unite.
7. Liking coloring again.
Maybe the desire never left us. Adult coloring books have been popular in the last few years, and it really does relieve stress of jobs and school. This one probably also includes the obsession with school supplies, which makes us feel organized and bit more in control of our lives, even if we have no idea what we're doing.
8. Uncertainty about careers.
No one has it one hundred percent figured out, even if they think they do.
9. "Obsessions" with pictures.
Instagram and Facebook are popular social media sites and apps to share pictures, and we do that. Keeping a part of our past years to remember in a photograph -- or 50 -- is necessary. In the times before smartphones, Generation X'ers and Baby Boomers printed pictures, which we as millennials still do too sometimes.
10. Our care for the Earth.
I realize that millennials aren't the only ones who care, but it seems that we are the driving force because we have more years left on Earth. We try to use reusable shopping bags, recycle, use less waste by choosing a reusable water bottle over plastic ones.
11. Fighting for our rights to express ourselves and be who we are.
Everyone should be able to live the way they want to. They should be able to have kids or choose to not have kids. They should be able to make decisions that will make them happy. People should be able to love who they love without judgment. Age is just a number. Love is love. Let's try to love more, and disagree less.
When Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers have raised and continue to raise kids that are intolerable of differences, they add to the discrimination problems that generations of people developed.
Baby Boomers and Generation X -- Don't judge our choices as millennials, and as people, and we will try not to judge yours.