Millennials get a lot of crap. Many say that we’re crybabies or that we’re offended by everything. They tell us we’re lazy and don’t know what it means to work hard. We’re the generation that “needs a participation trophy.”

But I see things a bit differently. Maybe I’m a bit biased, but I see great things coming from our generation. You may say we’re lazy, but I say we’re resourceful. Someone once said that if you hire a lazy person to do a difficult job, he’ll find the easiest way to do it. We can find a tutorial for almost anything on YouTube. We carry tiny computers in our pockets that help us figure out what we want to know in an instant. Like they say: “there’s an app for that.” And if there’s not, you can guarantee that someone is going to make one.

As far as technology goes, it’s allowed us to be more informed and in touch with what’s going on in the world around us. We’ve grown up in a period that saw the invention of the Internet, digital cameras, CD-R and DVDs, and GPS. We are opened to new forms of creativity such as the art of video making and mixing music. We’ve experienced rapid technological advancement and have been able to adapt to changes in that technology more easily.

Our generation is probably the most stressed and anxious so far. But, this forces us to become more open about mental health. Depression and anxiety used to be things that were only discussed behind closed doors. We know now that it’s important to have healthy discussions about mental health issues and find solutions to our problems. We realize that taking medication to help cope with these issues doesn’t make us crazy, because getting help and using what works is better than being unhappy.

We also care about physical health. We’re exercising more, eating healthier, and just leading healthier lives in general. More millennials reject smoking and heavy drinking than previous generations. (Source)

You may say that we’re too “politically correct” or “constantly offended.” I say that we stand up for what we believe to be right. We care about the needs and wants of the people around us. If someone says something that is harmful to a group or an individual, we are more likely to say something. We don’t back down from a fight. And we fight hard. We fight for the rights of others, for the rights of the LGBTQ, the disabled, and the oppressed. If we feel that something is unfair or unjust, you know that we will fight.

You may label us “whiny” and “sensitive” but I don’t remember ever asking for a participation trophy. I believe that we have a lot to offer. We’re paving a new road to success and trying to make our world a better place to live in. I am proud to be a millennial. I’m proud to see the change that we are making in our society and I hope that we continue to make a difference.