A “millennial” is defined by Wikipedia as “the demographic cohort following Generation X,” typically using the “early 1980s as starting birth years and the mid-1990s to early 2000s as ending birth years,” by older generations as naive and selfish, and by ourselves as the dreamers, the lovers, and the world changers.

Now, I can see at this point how someone who’s not a millennial might be questioning my word choice or insulted that I pointed a finger. I can also see how another millennial might be reading this and laughing, thinking to themself, “yes, we/you are.”

Of course, these opinions must come from somewhere. When someone thinks of millennials, their mind immediately goes to self-interested. Not to mention, most probably are pretty lazy, because they have access to a plethora of information through the internet without having to even crack open a book. And they must be impatient too, because they don’t have to wait for anything, even something as simple as a tv show coming out the next week because of Netflix. Come to think of it, they’re probably socially inept too, because instead of having an actual conversation, they can simply send a picture of their face, and they don’t even hv 2 use rl wrds.

Everything is simplified.

Nothing is taken seriously.

Everything is about them.

Now, I can also understand that at this point you’re getting quite annoyed with me and want to stop reading. But keep reading- please.

Instead of self interested, I see a generation that is interested in bettering themselves and the rest of this world they share.

Instead of lazy, I see a generation that uses the technology and resources they have access to to their advantage, in order to benefit themselves and society.

Instead of impatient, I see a generation that eagerly awaits change and new beginnings.

Instead of socially inept, I see a generation that has adjusted to the times and can now communicate in today’s media related standards but also has the remarkable ability to empathise with others.

Instead of the negative connotations that often come with thinking of millennials, I see the beautiful and unique qualities our generation has to offer.

I’m proud to be a millennial. We’re of an interesting kind, where we are young compared to the age of the world’s average population (about 32-years-old), have lived in two centuries, and have grown up with new technology that some today are still too overwhelmed to use.

Here is another point where you, the reader, might show some hesitation. “She’s writing about being generalized as a millennial but now is generalizing everyone else as judging millennials in this specific way. What a hypocrite.” If this is you, which it very well may be, I urge you to understand that this is not my intention. In fact, I’m trying to battle all generalizations, because when you put people into boxes, there’s no room to grow (for either the person in the box or the person outside it). However, this is the only way I see fit to go about enlightening those that are generalizing us millennials. No one is the same, but some of the same opinions can be shared. This is my shot at understanding.

But the world we live in today is currently in shambles. War and terrorism seem to reign, no one wants to get along, and our planet is dying. I truly do not understand why it’s so hard to live together. I find it so much easier to love rather than hate, smile rather than frown, and laugh rather than curse- unfortunately however, not everyone thinks this way. Even if the majority did, an angry shout is louder than a giggle, and a punch hits a lot harder than a high five.

Nevertheless, I think the beauty of my generation is that our minds tend to swing more towards the love and the smile and the laugh. And I think that it’s even more beautiful that we didn’t create the problems of today but were born into them, and even so, instead of accepting it, we persevere through the damage, seek to preserve this planet and human race, and aim to create a better tomorrow.

I am proud to be of a generation that finds light in what seems to be complete darkness and hope when all seems to be bleak. I love that I’m of a group of people that profoundly feels the pain and joy of others and is capable of looking through someone else’s eyes. I urge you to think again when you shake your head at a millennial on their phone or dancing in public. I encourage you to take a step back and try to see the world through another perspective. And finally, I ask that you join our mission, if you aren’t already leading the charge, on leaving a better and brighter future for the children of tomorrow. Let’s make it a beautiful one.

All my love,

Emma