Millennial Girl Living in a Millennial World
1980-1996 (depending on who you ask)
I was born in 1992, which makes me a millennial. Like all the writers before me, I truly believe that there was nothing like growing up in the 90s and early 2000s. I lived for Lisa Frank, Disney Channel original movies, and the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. I also had icons I looked up to, but nobody meant more to me than Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. They were the epitome of cool, and I did everything in my power to emulate their immaculate taste. They also had the best movies ever. Passport to Paris changed my life.
There were a lot of choices you had to make back when I was growing up that still are a part of my personality trait today. One was choosing between N*SYNC or Backstreet Boys. Someone's answer could RUIN a friendship, and if your answer wasn’t N*SYNC, you were so wrong. N*SYNC was my first concert. I went in the 2nd grade and screamed my little heart out when Joey Fatone shook his butt to “Just Got Paid.” It was ingrained in my brain! Another big choice I had to make was which house I would be sorted into in Harry Potter. I can feel you rolling your eyes, but millennials grew up with Harry Potter. The first book was released in 1997, and the last was released ten years later. I was in my prime, baby. I would say that I only loved Harry Potter because it is my childhood, but I truly believe it stands the test of time. I read it to my now 11-year-old almost three years ago, and we had the best time together. My mind is a Ravenclaw, but my heart is a Hufflepuff, in case you care. Then there was my AIM (AOL instant messenger) screen name. I thought it was super cool that I could communicate with my friends that way. Any given Friday night in 2002, you could find me and my best friend in my room on my desktop, instant messaging boys, and playing SIMS till 4 in the morning. Little did I know technology would grow into something more instantaneous than that.
My childhood brought me to where I am now. I am married to my best friend, and we have two beautiful children, with one more on the way. I am probably every part of a millennial that makes everyone cringe. We already spoke of my Harry Potter addiction, but I also would be a Disney adult if I could afford it, and I LOVED (and still kinda do) millennial pink. It is such a gorgeous shade of pink. Am I a Swiftie? THROUGH AND THROUGH. But don’t ask me to choose between her and Harry Styles. That's my version of cruel and unusual punishment. Do I sport a Stanley cup on the regular? You betcha! I love a good trend. Thankfully I haven’t fallen down any MLM trends, but I do work for a small business that my brother built from the ground up. I started my podcast, “Two Leading Ladies,” with my best friend in 2021, a very millennial hobby to have. I am also easily influenced. This brings us back to the trends I so love. If something goes viral on TikTok, I just have to try it! Food, makeup, socks, jeans...if it is popular, I want to know why. I love being in the know.
Maybe it is because I am in this generation and completely biased, but I would venture to say that millennials are the most hated generation in the bunch. We are known for feeling entitled, needing instant gratification, and being completely reliant on technology.
1. Entitlement
I have experienced firsthand on several occasions where a millennial feels like they deserve special treatment or they feel something should be handed to them on a silver platter. However, I really think that comes down to an individual's personality. I do not and cannot believe that that is a common millennial trait when I have stood behind too many Karens at a store trying to get a refund for full credit when they are out of the 60 day period for a return. It’s called a store policy, and you should really look it up before you storm into a store demanding things from people who get paid minimum wage.
“You grew up in a generation where everyone was handed a trophy.” But our parents were the ones who insisted we get said trophy. I remember I was very into softball at a young age, and I’m not afraid to say I was the best on the field. I strived every game to get the “game ball,” which was supposed to be an honor for the player who did the best. It infuriated me when the coach would try to make sure every player got a game ball by the end of the season. I’m sorry, but Sally in the outfield, who stood the whole game instead of sitting in the grass like she usually does, did not deserve a game ball. I did, and that was not because I felt entitled. It is because I earned it.
2. Instant Gratification
Of course, we crave instant gratification. We can reach whoever we want whenever we want at the push of a button. We binge-watch a whole season of our favorite show in one day. We also have been spoiled by amazon prime. If it takes more than a week for my online shopping order to get here, I’m furious. Christmas shopping really tested my patience this year.
Unfortunately, this is something that affects my life. However, I think most people, regardless of generation, strive for instant gratification. People want to lose weight but don’t want to go through the motions to achieve a healthy lifestyle. That is just the world we live in. Most everybody wants a quick fix.
3. Reliant on Technology
It’s always “you can’t go anywhere without that phone in your hands” or, my personal favorite, “be where you are,” but let's not forget who you ask to help with all of your excel questions. We are considered the most tech-savvy generation, which has to be a product of our environment. I don’t believe technology is the problem in today’s society. I believe the actual problem is social media. I thought Nicole Ritchie, Paris Hilton, and low rise jeans ruined my self-esteem when I was growing up, but I only saw those images in magazines. Now I am more insecure than ever with beautifully filtered photos at the press of my finger, and that can be detrimental to young people. But social media has its pros as well. I run a podcast with my best friend (another thing millennials love), and we have met so many wonderful people through social media and working in that creative space. I think it all comes down to moderation.
At the end of the day, no generation or person is perfect, but they are unique and have their own likes, dislikes, views, personalities, and things that are important to them. All people are sensitive about what they care about, but just because someone doesn’t line up with your views does not mean they are wrong. Unless they choose Backstreet Boys, I’ll die on that hill.
Likes:
Self-awareness
Taylor Swift
Harry Styles
Meryl Streep
Reading -if I could read for work, I would
Musicals
Peach Margaritas & Bellinis
Open-minded People
People who are accepting of all walks of life -Brunch
Cooking
Manicures/Pedicures
Me time
Being Pregnant
A good pair of jeans
Converse
Cool art
Pinterest
Schitt’s Creek
Skin Care
Games- board, card, and video
Dislikes:
Men (Mostly)
Rude people
Injustice
My lips
My adult acne
Beans
Melons
People who don’t like Taylor Swift or Harry Styles
The smell of cucumber melon from bath and body works
Having to explain myself
Arguing or debates of any kind
Being talked down to
Intrusive thoughts
When people blame religion for their opinions
The excuse “They are from a different time.” (the laziest excuse for not wanting to change disgusting behavior)
My procrastination
Whiners
Fireball
When people concern themselves with things that don’t concern them
Helicopter parents
Only thinking your opinion is right
Upsetting people
Favorite Millennial Slang
Low-key
Snatched
Shook
Gucci
V
I can’t even
Love that for you
UNFILLED SPACES IN MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE
I do not care about success. At all. I have never had a “dream job” per se because I do not dream of working. That probably makes me sound lazy, but I just think there is more to life than working. I’m a work to live type of gal. I hope to one day find something I am passionate about, but as of now, that has not happened.
UNFILLED SPACES IN MY PERSONAL LIFE
I hope to one day be comfortable and happy with the person I have become. I am riddled with self-doubt, no self-worth, body dysmorphia, and just plainly never feeling good enough. The feeling of not being a good enough mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, or person is a struggle of mine. I would love in the future for me not to care so much about what people think about me but instead worry about what I think about myself.