We’ve been talking so much about it – what, or who exactly are the Millennials? Well, let me get a little technical. Millennials are defined as the generation of adults born between the early 80s and the late 90s. Basically, everyone born from 1981-1999. Now, the generation of Millennials is also divided into two parts – the old Millennials and the young Millennials. The difference between the two is too complicated to explain, but for the sake of doing so, I’ll tell you this. The old millennials (1981-90) are more like Generation X than the young millennials. That’s why young millennials tend to see the older ones as more Generation X than their own.
But, the problem arises when you can’t relate to either the older Millennials, or the younger ones. You feel like you were born in the wrong generation. Don’t get me wrong, you still have all the traits of the generation – you’re addicted to technology and cannot imagine life without it, you make your own rules, are more inclusive and accepting than your parents ever were and you’re you, unabashedly so. But still, your soul craves more intimacy than others are willing to give and you feel that the dating scenes are not something you’d like to be a part of.
So, what is it like to be a Millennial who is not a Millennial?
First of all, there is a constant feeling of not belonging anywhere. You don’t belong to Generation X’s mindset or Generation Y’s (Millennials, as you know them) attitude and approach to life. You’re stuck somewhere in the middle. Neither here, nor there – confused, worried and extremely self-conscious.
Simply put, it’s like you rely on technology to help you communicate; but, you aren’t dependent on it to lead your life. You might Whatsapp someone to fix up a meeting but you still prefer a face-to-face honest conversation. You’d rather say the truth than ghost somebody because you’re too chicken to be straightforward. And love, well, that is another ballgame altogether.
Love isn’t something to be found in right swipes, or during a random hook-up at a friend’s wedding. Love isn’t the fluttering feeling that lasts exactly two months; but, then leaves you bored and looking for more. Love isn’t the checklist of the ‘perfect guy’ you made. For you, love, is… well, love. It’s compromise, friendship, affection, arguments and commitment all put into one. It’s an unsaid promise of working for it even on the bad days; even when you don’t want to and even when you’re right about to give up. It’s love, something you can’t run away from and that’s that.
This is not to say that this generation’s idea of love is skewered. It’s just that Millennials run away from love. The idea of being in love is very different for them. And if it doesn’t work for them, that’s okay. There are plenty of fish in the sea. While that’s an amazing and a pretty practical way of looking at things, that’s not how you look at it.
So, what do you do when this happens? Well, honestly, nothing. You go with the flow and let things happen naturally. And you don’t necessarily have to do what others are doing. Just know, and remember, chances are that you’re not the only one who feels a certain way. So who knows, maybe you’ll find someone who actually does things your way.
GIFs: Giphy
