The Grad Meets World Gen Y Manifesto

I’m going to preface this post by saying that it’s probably the most personal thing I have published to date. I’m also going to preface this by saying that it has taken me days to even jot it down.

It’s somewhat of a response to the Gen Y hysteria we all read about constantly.

I’ve had an these ideas in my head, random thoughts swarming around, and no clear way of putting it together.

Until now.

The Spiritual and Psychological Dilemma

For too long I have heard too many people doubting our generation, and for too long I actually believed all the hysteria. This negativity led me to believe that I would never amount to anything, never find a decent living by doing something that I love (Raise your hand if you’ve heard this. Ahem, liberal arts majors! ), and that I am basically destined for failed relationships because my generation is so screwed up. In fact, I can honestly say that I even went looking for doomed relationships because I fervently believed that men of this day and age were going to screw me over anyway.

I believed that I was worthless. I hadn’t experienced these emotions until I went to an incredibly religious school , but it was definitely more than that. Like most college freshmen I was struggling to find out who I was now that I was on the brink of adulthood.

I was raised in a religious environment growing up, but in college, I encountered some people with warped views, religious and otherwise, that made me question my sanity. As a result I didn’t make the best decisions; but by far the worst decision I ever made was not forgiving myself and not letting myself live my life the way I wanted. My worst decision was conforming to what I thought I was supposed to be.

It wasn’t until I moved back home, to a bustling city with people from all over the world, that I realized I was an okay person. That in the real world people could live their lives, move on from shit, and keep going forward.

But then I hit another problem.

The Professional Dilemma

Staring at the grim economic situation that stretched before me as I neared graduation, I came to accept that I could never make a living off what I love: the written word. I thought that those people who kept asking me what the hell I’m supposed to do with an English degree were right. I thought this recession was going to make or break my career.

To be honest, although I think I’m doing pretty well for a relatively fresh freelance writer, I still doubt myself sometimes. Sometimes I still succumb to the thought of just finding the first full-time job with benefits that I find – no matter how mediocre and unsatisfying it may be.

But I know it won’t make me happy. I would much rather bust my ass doing something that I love to put bread on the table. I would much rather not be tied to a desk and have the freedom to make my own schedule.

People figure it out all the time. So why can’t I?

Although I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to a full-time job I happened to love. Copywriter? Editor? Columnist? I can see it now…

The Baby Boomer Dilemma

I’m fortunate enough to have parents that support my goal of being a writer. As baby boomers, they know there is no life to be had in being chained to a desk for 30 years and they don’t want my brother and I to have the same fate.

For those of you whose parents would rather have you go to med school or law school, keep your head up. I fervently believe our generation is going to bring a hell of a storm with it, one that will not only save this economy (because frankly we don’t have a choice guys), but will show generations to come that you can find work from your passions.

We have a great tool right at the tips our fingertips : the internet and social media. Both of which we dominate with a seemingly God given talent. So start using it.

The Gen Y Manifesto

From this day forward…

I vow to pursue my dreams. Writing, health, professionally, and otherwise. Just because our generation would rather work to live than live to work does not mean we are idealistic and lazy. Just because we want a quality of life that doesn’t revolve around a career ladder (that isn’t really available to us at the moment anyway) does not mean we think we are entitled. We want to find passion in our lives, not just in our bank accounts. So what if it won’t get us a Ferrari or approved for a mortgage? Unlike the generation before us, we could really give a rat’s ass about a mortgage or the career ladder.

I vow to take advantage of this one life I’ve got. Travel, dance, and fall in love over and over again until I finally get it right. Just like I used to do. After all, what’s the point of living if you don’t just live?

I vow to help my fellow man. Through this blog, teaching, in my daily life, and so forth. Gen Y wants to promote change and we’re the most socially conscious generation as of yet. We’re the new movers and shakers and most of us are hell bent on using it for good.

I vow to change my perspective. Too many times we find ourselves focusing on the negatives in our lives. It’s time to switch it up.

Above all, I vow to never let guilt, fear, anger, or hurt eat me alive again.

To all the naysayers, I’m not going to tell you your concerns aren’t valid. I mean, we’re not exactly living in the best times here. But let’s not forget that the world has seen bad times before and somehow society still managed.

So how about showing us a little faith every once in a while? After all, we’re going to be the ones paying off your debt.

Thanks for that, by the way.

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