Millennials get a bad rep these days. We don't work as much or as hard as the young people a couple generations ago. We live at home too long and mooch off our parents. We spend thousands of dollars on college tuition but don't get a job in our field of study. We spend too much time on our cell phones, on social media, or on our computers. For those of us old enough, our idea of parenting is sitting our kids in front of a screen for hours a day so we can get some quiet time. These are only a few of the complaints I hear on a regular basis. While these issues may be true for a few people, millennials are not all like this. We have good traits that often get covered up by a negative stereotype.

1. We are ambitious about our futures.

Creativity comes naturally to us young people. Instead of settling for a 9-5 job straight out of high school, we create unique lifestyles and careers. We travel the world, meet people, take photos, and write about our adventures. A life as a travel writer keeps people humble and open-minded. Some of us start our own businesses - perhaps a coffee shop in a quaint town. Coffee might not seem like much but there's a plethora of business management knowledge required to run even a small shop.

2. We are open-minded.

Older people are accustomed to straight-and-narrow ways of their childhood and younger years. Often they don't like to see society change drastically. However, to keep a fresh perspective of the world, one must realize the lives of others are different and might require different things. For example, years ago tuition was much cheaper with respect to today. One summer of part-time work covered a year of schooling. Prices have inflated but the rate of pay has not equally increased. It will take me decades to pay off my student loans. (And I didn't even go to a fancy private school.) For those who complain that we demand too much money - this is why.

3. We are getting better at photography.

Yea, we might post a few too many selfies on social media. However, since cameras are so readily available in smartphones we can practice our photography skills at any given moment. Maybe a few of us need to learn the acceptable time and place to take a pic, but we're getting pretty good with basic photography.

4. We're blessed to have parents who let us live at home until we have our lives in check.

Instead of kicking us out at the ripe age of 18, a lot of us get to live at home for a few years. Maybe until we've worked a few years and have some money saved up. Maybe until we get through college and apply to some exciting jobs. Either way, we get to eat home-cooked meals every day and lean on the shoulders of loving parents when life throws a curve ball. While living at home may not seem all its cracked up to be at times - like when you get lectured for staying out late or having a couple drinks - having family close feels good at the end of the day.

5. We are doing our best to make a better world.

We stay steady in a world full of setbacks and rejections. How often do we hear the word "no"? Too often. No, you didn't get that dream job because you're inexperienced. No, you can't buy that house because you're credit score isn't high enough. No, you're never going to be successful in this world because you're nothing more than a millennial. It gets exhausting. But we keep going. We keep working. We keep dreaming. We only have good intentions to make this world a better place for future generations who will someday be in our shoes.

Thank you for reading and please understand millennials are not what you think we are. We are good people.