What do I mean by millennial? The actual definition of a millennial is broken up into 3 groups: Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z (aka centennials). What's the difference?
Generation X: Born 1965 to 1976
Generation Y: Born 1977 to 1995
Generation Z: Born 1996 and later
In this case, I can only speak about folks born as a Generation Y and Generation Z baby. Throughout my short years, I have learned to ask older folk advice they would give to their younger self or for someone like me, just graduating college and going into the "real world." Hearing their tidbits and advice on life is more than I can ask for from anyone, a free lesson that I wouldn't have to pay for. With all these different perspectives, I have learned to take these lessons with a grain of salt. With technology changing all around us, societal changes all around us, and with perspective being relative, one has to take "old folk advice" as outdated. I went and talked to different people around my age and formulated a list of things all millennials should know:
1. This may not be your only heartbreak.
You may have had that one heartbreak that your just can't get over. You may be talking to other people and just not finding that spark. Don't rush it. You are young with so much more life in front of you. The one will come and all that waiting will be worth it. Take a deep breath and enjoy life for yourself.
2. Do stuff for yourself, not your resume.
You are probably stressed out about the "real world" and making sure that you are competitive enough with your fellow peers. You shouldn't be stressed at all. If you stress yourself out that much, you aren't going to be happy. Do fun things for yourself and find out what you like. If others see that you are having fun and enjoying yourself, they will feel more inclined to talk to you and make that connection that might help you later in life.
3. Do that odd job.
You're young, take advantage of it. Once you find that job in the "real world" you won't have the time or energy to do that odd job. Look around the town you live in, go to Hawaii and find a job renting surfboards, work on a cruise ship. Do something that pushes yourself out of your comfort zone and have fun with it.
4. Make mistakes.
This one is the most cliche one you have heard of, but it's true. Making a mistake is okay, as long as you learn from it and move on. Society has an ever-present pressure for one to live a perfect early life so that you would be able to live a perfect life later. No one is perfect. It's human nature to make mistakes, so make them.
5. Get in a fight.
Sooner the better. Stick up for yourself. When you are in a situation that just irks you the wrong way, stay strong to your beliefs and stick up for yourself. Even if you are the quiet type and don't like speaking up, you gotta learn how to. If it causes a fight, so be it. Defend your side and learn how to approach the situation in a civil way.
6. It's okay to burn bridges.
You will be in friendships and relationships that are just toxic for your life. Throw them out. Even if they can be a resource later in life. If they are just a stressful weight on your shoulders, let go and cut that tie. It's not worth it, especially when you are so young. You are who you surround yourself with. If you surround yourself with toxic people, you will become toxic. If you surround yourself with good influential people, then you will become that positive influence in peoples lives.
7. Take that opportunity.
Learn the power of the word "no." Just because you don't want to do something, doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Get off your bum while you have the energy to and take that opportunity. You don't want to have any regrets in life. If a good opportunity comes around, take it.
8. Stay healthy...ish.
The way you treat your body now will have an effect on your body later in life. Does that mean if you eat a twinkie, you will look like a twinkie? No not at all. You most likely have faster metabolism than you will later in life. Your body will cycle through a lot of the bad things that you eat. Enjoy the cake, sundae, blizzard, or midnight snack.
9. Take pictures.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Take pictures, a lot of them. It might seem like just a picture now, but they are memories that you will look back 40 years from now. Take the pictures and send them to your folks, they raised you and appreciate those pictures. Take pictures and make a story about your life to show your kids one day.
10. Love yourself.
The only thing stopping you from moving forward in your life is yourself. Be positive, step outside your comfort zone, and love yourself. If you are lost, you will find yourself. Take your time. But remember, you can't love someone if you don't love yourself. And don't forget, always have hope!
"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."
- 1 Timothy 4:12
