Millenials and Gen Z
Through my work and being a Millenial myself, I have come to discover that people currently in their 20's and 30's have experienced a unique set of challenges through being a generation that grew up in Flux.
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Something that frequently comes up with clients in this age group is the difficulty they find in merging self-awareness they are gaining through the work, and communicating this with parents and caregivers.
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Generational differences can contribute to pressure to fit traditional life milestones, whilst also managing expectations to excel in their careers. The desire to challenge traditional gender roles combined with increased awareness of mental health struggles and how they can be attributed to the environment in which they were raised can understandably be a sore point of discussion, particularly as openess around mental health conversation is still in it's infancy. Needless to say it is a confusing time to be alive, and as such it can be helpful to verbalise your concerns in a safe and judgement-free environment.
Common Issues experienced by Millenials & Gen Z
1
Financial Instability
A frequent source of Anxiety for many Clients in their 20's and 30's is financial instability due to a number of factors such as:
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Student Loan Debt
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Job Market Challenges
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Housing Costs
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Gig Economy and Precarious Work
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Retirement Concerns
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Economic Disparities
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Financial Literacy Gaps
All these factors can contribute to financial anxiety among millennials and Gen Z alike, making it essential to seek support and develop strategies for managing these stressors.
2
Anxiety and Depression
Research conducted in 2020 showed that people in the Gen Z and Millenial demongraphic were almost three times more likely to describe their mental health as "very bad". (Attest, 2020)
Whether it's down to the cost of living, fallout from the pandemic or an increased awareness of mental health,poor mental health is something that frequently impacts many people.
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Another consideration for this could be attributed to being a generation brought up on social media. The prevalance of which could be a solid contributer to isolation, as so much communcation is now made between screens. Many have questioned if this is having an impact on our social skills and subsequently, relationships.
While younger generations have grown up often using social media platforms such as instagram, with readily available 'pop psychology' millenials generally have a greater awareness of mental health than prior generations. While education is largely a positive thing, the disparity between generational understanding of mental health can contribute to conflict in familial relationships often making it difficult for people to share and feel heard by parents or caregivers.
3
Existential Dread
If you've ever tried online dating, you'll likely understand the feeling of existential dread. The ghosting, throwaway culture can leave people feeling disposable and at times like modern life has very little meaning.
As a generation we have lived through major disasters including terrorist attacks such as 9/11, the Fukishima disaster and subsequent Tsunami's, Australian wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. These disasters have come as a stark reminder that we cannot always predict the future.
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As such many people struggle with the inner conflict between living for today and planning for the future. It can also cause some people to question- what is the point?
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When clients pose this question I am drawn to the japanese concept of "Ikigai" the philosophy of finding purpose in something that you love. This informs the basis for a lot of the work I do with clients, as it's a great route to finding 'you', and with authenticity comes greater self-esteem, self-confidence and self-belief.
4
Identity Crisis
Many Millenial and Gen Z's delay traditional markers of adulthood, such as marriage and homeownership, due to financial constraints. This delay can lead to a prolonged period of emerging adulthood and identity exploration. While this isnt an obvious issue on its own, combined with the pressures of traditional values and milestones, it can leave some people feeling isolated and induce feelings of being 'left behind'.
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In general, Millennials and Gen Z's are more open and accepting of diverse gender and sexual identities, leading to greater exploration and understanding of these aspects of themselves. This can be a confusing time however, as these individuals may experience discrimination when what they need is acceptance and understanding.