G for Generation Gap

"Our generation is the most miserable generation".

That's what the new reports, the official mental health statistics, and people other than the ones in our generation say.

Just to myself clear I am talking about Millennials, though I am officially from Gen Z, I rather identify myself as a millennial.

The internet is filled with articles that talk about the level of depression, and the mental anxiety of our generation. I agree with a part of that, but being most miserable is the part where I am vehemently against it.

Let me paint a different picture for you about my generation. 

My generation is the generation that cares about the planet. We make the most genuine and conscious effort to turn off lights, and water tap whenever not in use, unlike our seniors who consider them their birthright. We come out in the open and talk about what's bothering us, and that's how the statistics get bigger. Did people in the generation before us not have problems in their life. Get hold of one of them in private and ask them about the problems they faced in life. I am sure that would be a magnitude bigger than ours, but alas, they didn't get bigger hearts to come out and admit it.

They say that our generation doesn't get well with family relatives. But do you really feel so great about them? if yes then why do you keep cribbing about them on their back, and then be all caring and respectful. If we don't agree to stand by this double standard behaviour of yours do you really think it is us who should be blamed, won't a little retrospect help?

You call we don't stay together in a relationship as better as you did. Do you really think that's a problem? People of our age are in relationships with people in other countries and states, who they barely see once a year, so that cannot be a problem right. You blame us for the mounting divorce rate, but if you really think that people should remain bound to each other their entire life, even if they can't stand seeing each other's faces in one room, you should reconsider your mental state.

You say that women took care of the house in your time, but the women in our generation don't value family that much. But do you not see women our age have started valuing themselves more now, can there be a bigger pleasure than that, if you really want to see an independent society. We now have the highest percentage representation of women in the workforce than ever was before. Women in our age know their worth, respects themselves more, work and earn for themselves and their family in so many cases, should they not get the chance to prioritize themselves even now. 

You say that we destroyed the earth, but tell me who started polluting the earth with plastics and chemicals. Did eco-friendly packaging, responsible tourism, and green energy become popular during your time, I hardly believe so. 

Our generation has seen the world transform with the gradual entry of technology into our lives, to the point of technology ruling our lives in a way. We have climbed trees, played outdoors with our friends, drawn water from the well, watched a black and white tv, and experienced nights without electricity and network, to the point where we can get our groceries delivered to our home within ten minutes. We have seen the world change, and I am not sure how many other generations get a chance to live the biggest transition in human history.

People in my generation might be facing so many problems, but they stand with a spine accepting them. One of my friends walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to spread awareness about mental health, one of them left their high-paying job, to follow her heart where she wanted to be a digital content creator. Another one of them choose herself and went on a trip with us, after taking care of her brother who was in ICU just a week back. One of my friend trek on the vast, enormous, and threatening mountains solo, some sits and meditate sitting beside the crowded waterfall. One of my friends was in so a bad mental state due to her professor from a generation ago, that she even considered committing suicide because he made her feel worthless, and today she makes me realize how blessed I am and inspires me to lead a life that would make me happy. One of my friends was badly heartbroken, she spent months in depression but now she teaches classical dance, the way to happiness to hundreds of kids back in her city.

I accept that we do crazy things that might not make any sense at that moment, we don't listen to age-old wisdom and do whatever seems right to us, even when that might mean going against you. We fail and fall a lot many times, but we do stand up. We stand up against all the odds, staring back into the eyes of adversity that put us down. 

Though headlines and statistics may paint a black picture, I am really proud of the people in my generation, we have the willpower and guts to live life with an open mind and heart, and most importantly on our terms alone.

I just have one question for the people who blame our generation, don't you secretly wish that you were from our generation and had a spine like we do to stand up for ourselves.

Yours truly,

Proud Millennials