The Millennial generation has turned having feelings into a joke. They see it as a weakness, that if you care for someone, then you are “whipped” or “too sensitive.” This disdain for feelings makes life even more difficult than it already is, especially in dating and friendships. Millennials are finding other ways to show interest, some of which are funny (like memes), but most are ineffective at conveying interest, which leads to confused parties who, then, misinterpret messages and end up hurt, now having more resentment for the things they feel naturally. It’s a never-ending cycle. The only way to get out of it is to accept that you are feeling, and understand a major point- feeling (anything) is natural, and it’s what makes us human.

We, as higher-thinking creatures, have the ability to feel more than hunger, thirst, or exhaustion. We find pleasure and comfort in relationships and are stronger when we have people we can trust in. Those feelings of compassion and trust are not being instilled into the younger generations- not by fault of any one person or group- and as these generations reach stages of their lives where they need other people to function as members of society, lacking these feelings will hinder their development into functioning adults. Even though being an adult is difficult, having healthy relationships will make it much easier to get through life and reach long-term goals.

We need to encourage these teens and twenty-somethings that showing emotion is okay. Emotion is what makes us human. Showing you care is key in many situations in life. To not tell a girl you like that you’re interested is silly; she may not know unless you say something. To not show an employer you put passion into your work will likely leave you unemployed. To not show loved ones, both family and friends, that you care about them will leave you with regret, as they will not be around forever. To show nothing makes you a robot, taking away one of the most key elements of humanity. Showing emotion is not weak; showing emotion takes strength. Tell someone you love them. Tell someone they matter to you. Show anger, show fear, show compassion.

To my peers, friends, and fellow humans- it’s okay to feel.