All too often, millennial is being used more as an insult and not as a generation classification. I am sick and tired of the misconception that because of the year I was born, I am lazy, entitled, and that everything is handed to me. I'm tired of people that don't know me putting a negative connotation towards me and my generation. Sure, some people my age are lazy and irresponsible, but so are others that are fifty sitting on their couch accepting handouts because they refuse to work. Today I am here to settle the fact that the word millennial does not define me nor does it define you either.
I am anything but selfish. Yes, I will do things for myself. But, when I can, I give; whether it be money, time, or opportunity. I am not self-centered and I do think of others. But sometimes, we all have to do what is best for ourselves. That is how you survive.
I can function through the work day without being glued to my phone //
Sure, I check my phone on my breaks throughout the day, but I am not glued to my phone. I use social media as a way to connect to people because my family lives all over the country. It does not define me if I don't get fifty likes on my selfie.
When I worked in retail, it was on a slower night, so I was just standing by the door waiting for a client to come in. An older gentlemen walks in and I think he's coming in to buy something for his wife. Why else would a dude really come into my store? Well, he decided to ask me, "Where is your phone? You look bored." And I replied confused saying, "What? I'm working" Then he replied with the biggest thing that gets me. "Oh, well, all of the kids your age are glued to their phones". Uhm no. One, that's not true of me. You do not know me. Two, I'm working. Do you really think that less of my generation that we would be on a sales floor, at our desk, or on a job site, simply to sit on our phones? How can you make that assumption on someone you don't even know?
I am not flaky and I work hard for my money //
I stick to my commitments and I work hard as I take part in them. I perform to the best of my ability, and I'm not too proud to seek help when I need it. There have been times where I've worked 3 jobs at once because that's what I needed to do.
I am not a party girl //
I don't get drunk and party every night. I never understood the party stage, nor will I ever. Sure, I grab a drink with my friends, but when our "party spot" is Applebees for half-priced apps, I don't think you need to worry about me.
I am not entitled //
I don't think that I deserve something or that I should automatically get something right off the bat. I believe in working for things and I don't believe in handouts. Just because I went to college, doesn't guarantee me my dream job. I will work towards it just like I believe everyone else should. You start at the bottom and work your way up. That's life.
I have been wanting to get this off my chest for a long time and am finally sharing it with you. I am so ready for the word millennial to sound uplifting and not degrading. Our generation is doing and will continue to do great things.
Stay Classy.
xx,
Kristen
Love this post, Kristen! I get annoyed when people act like that about our age bracket too. Thankfully, I haven't had to deal with as much of that as some people have, but it's still obnoxious!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristin! Hopefully soon it won't happen anymore! <3
DeleteMy husband and I have a bit of an inside joke of calling people millenials when they do act in that entitled, "I deserve the world" kind of way. Although I certainly agree that many people our age don't act that way...there are a few who really do, hence our inside joke. And it's true, I wouldn't want to be considered a millenial, because of the negative connotation. Maybe it's a good thing most people assume I'm older than I am...
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, yeah there are totally peeps out there that totally do act that way. You're lucky! People always think I'm like 12. They're like you're married?! hahaha
DeleteHaha, you're so right! I do often use the term millennial, but not in a way to put people down. I hope. It's a little different in Europe I guess and we're not as busy with the word as in the US, for example. That's also why I've never met anyone who told me I was entitled, selfish or something else. Every person is different so we can't write everything of as a millennial-issue.
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky! I wish it was like that in the US. People get so, so rude about it here. Hopefully soon it will change.
DeleteI love the post and get so frustrated with all of the crazy stereotypes that are out there about our generation. Millennials are truly some of the most driven, hard working people I know!
ReplyDeleteYes! They seriously are. Great things are coming from our generation!! <3
DeleteOh I love this and resonate with it so much!! What baffles me is that those who call us millennials "entitled" feel entitled to do so hmmmmm. *sips tea* Anyway, I agree with Alissa in that millennials are very driven and hard working people! I am starting to see more and more positive associations with the term "millennial" and I hope it only improves from here.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I seriously can't believe some people. Oh well. But, Yes! I seriously hope that soon it will be a positive word.
DeleteAMEN, AMEN, AMEN! You know I 100% agree with everything here. And Applebee's is what's up, haha.
ReplyDeleteHaha I was laughing so hard when I was typing that section. I knew you'd appreciate it. ; )
DeleteI don't think the term millennial is used a ton in Australia, but I know there are always generalisations made about every generation of people it seems. It's always given by the older generation who feels they know more about life than the generations after them (and while sometimes yes it's true, there is no need to belittle the generations after you).
ReplyDeleteYes!! For sure! That's the NEXT generation. It's time to build UP those generations, not put them down! <3
DeleteYAS. Ugh it's the worst. Hopefully soon it will all stop. We're smart--we promise!
ReplyDeleteThere is so much negativity around millennials and it is frustrating to be put inside a box by society just because they think we're all the same. I'm slowly learning to own that title though, and attempt to simply change what it means.
ReplyDeleteWe're not lazy, we just come up with easier ways to do things. We're not entitled, we just know what we deserve. We don't party all night, but we acknowledge that having fun is an integral part of life and there's no shame in letting your hair down once in a while.
Try not to let negative people get you down, all that matter is that we understand our own generation and that we treat the ones after us better than we are being treated!
http://www.thesmalladventurer.blogspot.com.au/
YAS girl!!! LOVE your comment SO much. Seriously so perfect!
DeleteYes! You are so not alone. IT's simply that people don't understand and when they dont understand something that usually negatively judge. I talk a lot about this with my fellow forbes contributors, and it's been a major topic of discussion in the news lately (The today show last week did a daily series on breaking the myths about millennials) - people are finally starting to realize that none of this can label an entire generation - and that we all have flaws. I look at being a millennial as a point of pride, we are disruptors and evolving in so many ways and more progressive in so many ways, that scare some of the older generation which causes them to push back. You are so not alone in feeling this way <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad to hear this! Hopefully so very soon people will see the real truth about Millennials! :)
DeleteI love this! The term millennial is being used as a dirty word and honestly as a derogatory stereotype when in all actuality, it should be something to be proud of. Millennials should be known the generation of change, acceptance, and new discoveries instead of the generation who's ruining the housing market because we "would rather buy avocado toast."
ReplyDeleteYES! For real though! Love this, Anna. haha--totally laughed out loud at the last sentence. It's so true!
DeleteYes girl, I couldn't agree more! I hate when I'm classified as being lazy or that I expect things to be handed to me, since I'm the total opposite. While there are some people that may fall into that "bucket" it certainly isn't the majority of us. The term millennial is only supposed to be a word to describe the generation we were born in NOT the characteristics of us. I believe that as millennials we are the ones that are breaking through the status quo and following our passions, and I am VERY proud of that :)
ReplyDeleteYAS!! I definitely agree--we are the first generation to really go after our dreams and not settle for a generic 9-5 job that we HAVE to take. We're SO creative, too.
DeleteMy husband and I get this classification (negatively) a lot. We're looked down on for being young which is then paired with our supposed selfish laziness. We do live an incredibly different lifestyle from many our age, but we are able to have this lifestyle because of hard work and putting what we value above money. The weird thing is, so many of the people I know who are older than us and have children a little younger than us, don't require their children to work throughout high school or college and it SHOCKS me. It's such a double edged sword: you complain that we're lazy and entitled, yet you don't instill a work ethic in your children whatsoever. I started working long hours when I was 15 and never had a 'summer off'!
ReplyDeleteYES! So true. For me, growing up, I was never allowed to have a job (my parents were trying something new as I have older siblings that all worked at young age) BUT, I was always required to do something academic or extra at church. Since I didn't have a work schedule, I was able to earn scholarships for college during Fine Arts (a competition through my home church). It's so crazy the stereotypes now though.
DeleteI couldn't agree with you more! I hate being called a millennial because of the negative connotation that's associated with that word. I'm a hard worker, I can go without my phone, and I strive to be better.
ReplyDeleteYes girl! Hopefully soon people actually get to know us for who we really are.
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