First world problem alert: recently I have been feeling exhausted and unable to finish basic tasks without being distracted by my phone. When I think about everything my parents did at my age – I feel useless. This guilt further paralyses me – It’s a vicious cycle. A lot of my friends seem to be feeling the same. I wonder what is happening with all of us. Why are Millenials so tired? Are we the burnout generation that did not even make it to work?
Living in the world of social media means there is a lot of “how-to” information out there – yoga videos, organic food recipes, self-care rituals, travel posts, skin care routines, your friends’ holiday videos. So no matter what you do, there will always be someone online doing more than you and you feel, as the netizens call it, FOMO (fear of missing out).
When I get my 8 hours of sleep, social media tells me I did not socialize enough on Friday night like the others. When I have a blast on a Friday night, social media tells me I have a trash lifestyle in comparison to my 5am marathon running friends. This FOMO in my opinion, leads to pressure of never missing out. This pressure is exhausting and chews away at our self esteem of never being enough.
One thing I found common in all my fellow exhausted millennials is this pressure to manage competing priorities. We want to do so much that it paralyzes us. There are many contradictory messages on social media – sleep 8 hours, have a social life, start a business, have a stable income, have kids before 30, travel the world solo, marry early, never settle, and the list is endless.
It is a trap because there are 24 hours in a day and you can either manage a full-time job; or you can be a Yoga Guru; or you can be a musician; or you can be a political activist. Some manage to do all of it but most people are like me trying to make it through the week without quitting the jobs. That we can manage it all effortlessly is a lie that is killing our spirits.
FOMO and pressure to perform all the time is a silent epidemic that is growing and casing exhaustion and isolation among Millenials and Gen Z. While this was a rant on social media – the power still lies with us on how to use it. Yes, the algorithms don’t make it easy but we need now more than ever to discipine our media consumption. No wonder Netflix is also surprised that I am still watching. Time to switch it off, consume less information and tune into my own needs.
Nicely articulated. It’s important to tune in by tuning out. The facades created by social media have been unleashing their wrath where children are growing up in this constant state of surveillance – not by the state – but by their friends. Shaming has become an integral part of life now and everyone strives to be the celebrity they never could be. So dangerous.
I hope you get the time to be unproductive so you may be productive when you need to be. Constantly staying on and being productive all the time will destroy our body and minds.
#FoodForThought
Yes exactly – surveillance the big killer of sanity. Learning to switch will be the big skill for future generations. Thanks for reading 🙂
I tuned in to this instead of Netflix. And am happy I did.
Aw thank you! Glad to hear this 🙂
Nice articsl
Thank you! 🙂
Beautiful article.
It helps you to connect inwards!
I felt a connection within me like connecting inwards , after reading this.
Thanks!
Beautiful article!
It helped to connect inwards.
I felt a connection within me, as if like connecting inwards!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! 🙂
I will also learn something seriously and follow in my life with small goals.. love ❤️ you and proud of your profound thoughts❤️❤️❤️
Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
Very well said Chhavi. it applies to seniors like me too__ this desire to do much and actually do very little.I would love to know what the 7 priorities you have designed for yourself_ you list outdoors time,one exercise and 2 meals.
All the best
Wow! Im so happy to hear that you could also connect to it 🙂 thanks for sharing. The other preferences are: reach out for at least one meaningful interaction, do at least one hobby activity (something that’s not my job), sleep for at least 6 hours.
I agree. Its so easy to swipe through your insta feed and think ive missed the bus on so many things. Oh the constant comparison. I hate it it. Your piece makes me feel that “its okay”…Its okay to make your own list of priorities ?
Thank yoouuu! <3