Are millennials really the “me, me” generation?

A lot can happen in a week, even in self-isolation! I have to admit I have spent my week (where I thought I would get a lot done), in fact avoiding anything that looked remotely like work. 

I wouldn’t say that I have lost my motivation to write, because I am here now arent I? Maybe, it is just the motivation to write certain things. Travel seems like the last thing on most peoples minds right now, and perhaps it is why my motivation to write anything travel-related seems like a daunting task. 

I have so much on the back burner right now, so many deadlines that are slowly creeping up on me. So, unfortunately, that means my blog (and my motivation to write for it) has suffered in the process. 

Other things have also distracted me; things like celebrating fathers day without the kids (and without the ability to leave my home), which makes it an odd time indeed. I also wished my son a happy birthday from Singapore while he celebrated back in Australia in a restricted kind of way – which seems to be more common than not these days. 

You may also like.. to my dear son on his 21st birthday.

The gift of giving

But what stood out to me the most was the turn of events that lead me to write this in the first place. That is for the first time in 22 years; I did not buy my son a gift for his birthday. 

Birthday’s for me have always been about giving! I love giving gifts; it is probably one of my favourite things to do. Yep, I am that type of person, the one that goes all out at birthdays and Christmas. Not to get it back in return, in fact, the complete opposite, it is the act of giving that I enjoy. I feel uncomfortable when I receive gifts, always have, always will (if my husband is reading this, then please understand this paragraph does not refer to you!) Gifts from husband are excluded. 

The reason I did not buy my son a birthday present was not that I am miles away, or that I had forgotten to purchase him something. It was because he had asked me to donate anything I would have spent on him, to a charity he has been contributing to for the past 12 months. You can click on the link here to donate.

It is a pretty big decision for someone at 22 years of age, but another tick in the proud mother box for me. It might not mean much to some, but I know for a fact that I don’t think I would have even thought to have given up my gifts on my birthday when I was 22. I was still at the party all night stage of my life. 

The millennial generation

I think in a world where we label this generation of millennials as “entitled and selfish” we must remember that it isn’t a generational problem, more of an individual issue (in my opinion). It is hard to see the reasoning in labelling an entire generation on a few rotten eggs, don’t you think?

It has made me reevaluate my opinion on the matter and to some degree, maybe even swallow my words a little, where I too once thought the same way. I am a real believer in actions speak louder than words, and this is another one of those examples. 

Do we believe all we read? Are we really creating a “me, me” generation? Or are we doing what those have done before us, and judge the next generation because they no longer follow in our footsteps? We have seen this pattern in history where each generation changes. It changes because of circumstances, technology, global influence, politics and world events. 

Each generation learns from the generation before them, either they can see the errors of the past or they can see the opportunities of the future. Either way, they are different, for many reasons. 

Learning from the millennials

So this past week has allowed me to learn from this millennial generation. I feel lucky that I have been able to learn from this unexpected selfless act of kindness. It has given me a little insight into what has been in front of me all along. 

Sure, this generation wants more (I think we all have secretly in the past) but isn’t that what we want for our children? The millennials have also proven that they can be more self-indulgent at times, but how else do you become the best version of yourself? What is wrong with self-love and believing in ourself? It is much better than sabotaging ourselves with negative thoughts and not believing in our self-worth (something I wish I had the skill to do at that age).

Isn’t this the generation that wants to save our planet? Aren’t they also the ones who want to explore our world so they can learn from new cultures? Or perhaps they are the generation who are calling for racism to stop where past generations only scratched at the surface? Who knows where this generation will lead us, as they are armed with more technology, information and history than we ever were.

Maybe it is time to take off the shades we have been wearing and replace them with a new style of rose coloured glasses? Maybe, just maybe we should stop criticising this new generation and instead believe in them, support them and guide them, who knows, they may be able to teach us all a thing or two.

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