I'm a millennial (according to Wikipedia). Personally, I've always considered myself a 90's kid. Anyways, I am by definition labeled as a millennial. Since I fall into that category, I would like to take a second and ask all of the generations ahead of me to stop bashing millennials.

I know that growing up, (most of) you also suffered and struggled. I am so thankful that I didn't have to walk up hill both ways in the snow to get to where I need to go. However, I'm positive that had the Internet been around when your generation was growing up, ya'll would be actively complaining then about your life like you criticize us for doing now. And your parents and other adults would be online treating you with the same judgment and indifference as we receive.

Whining and complaining are my least favorite activities and I try not to do them often. Yet, life is hard. I know that it was hard for you when you were my age. I know are struggles weren't exactly the same, but that doesn't make my feelings any less of value because you "had it worse." What happened to compassion?

I'm proud of my parents and grandparents for overcoming the difficulties in their lives. Still, I have difficulties of my own. Stop calling my generation lazy and wanting hand outs. I'm speaking for the majority of us when I say we work our butts off.

I've been blessed. I haven't had to work as hard as some of my fellow millennials-- but I have had to work. I have been working since I was 17 (same job). After I graduated high school, I began the journey to higher education. Since then, I've been trying to balance an almost full time job, academics, social life and extra-curricular activities (such as writing for Odyssey). There are days, when yes, I do wish school was free. Days that I wish I could just sit down and not think about going to work or what I have to do for class. Days where I wish I could just focus more on how blue the sky is or how fresh the breeze is instead of feeling like I can't let myself relax.

I've worked a full eight-hour day and then gone to the studio and stayed until the early morning trying to finish a project that I haven't had enough free time to work on. (Did I mention I am an Art major?) I've also done this same schedule in reverse; spent a full day in the studio plus late into the night and then the following day worked 8:30 to 5:30. Ya'll, I gave up blow-drying my hair months ago just so I could get an extra 20 minutes of sleep.

I'm not alone. There are millions of us out there, working multiple jobs/longer hours, taking a heavier class load and trying to keep our sanity.

I'm asking you, the next time you think us Millennials have it easy, please take a second and think about what I've told you.