r/millenials

Growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was hope. People looked forward to becoming an adult, gaining independence, and finding your place in the world. We dreamed of possibilities, of a better future for all. It felt like major problems were solvable - we just had to collaborate. And there was this sense of unity, of belonging.

I wonder if this is just what all kids and teenagers feel, no matter the generation or years. Or were the 1990s and early 2000s uniquely special, that older generations also felt this optimism? Do teenagers today feel optimistic as well like we once did?

Not sure if this has been discussed here before (probably) but it’s been on my mind. I love nostalgia and almost everything I remember from growing up in the 90s and early 2000’s. Hell - I still make mix cd’s and buy physical dvds. But sometimes I see a lot of nostalgia for things I remember being not that great. Prime example is Blockbuster. It is mentioned all the time in nostalgia content and people reminisce about how much they miss it. There are games, tee shirts, pilgrimages to the last Blockbuster in Bend - but really it was a pretty mediocre, big chain video store that was overpriced, always out of new releases, with crazy late fees and employees that knew less about movies than their average customer. What I think people really miss are those sweet little mom & pop video stores where you rent the same VHS movie every weekend as a kid because you’re the only person who cares about the dumb plot so it’s always in stock - and there is one pimple faced teenage cinephile working the checkout desk who actually does give a damn about recommending an awesome movie. Or maybe just a craving for analog life. But Blockbuster really wasn’t it. Honorable mention to Toys r’ us as well. Anyone else have any examples of the Blockbuster effect?

I remember as teens and early 20s, most of my friends didn’t care much about it.

Now? It seems like for most people it’s the most important aspect of their lives.

When and why did it change?

Other than school rankings, what other criteria do Millennials use to evaluate whether a neighborhood is good or not?

There’s a socialist takeover of the Democratic Party and it’s primarily driven by millennials and Gen Z to an extent. It’s also the reason why I left the party in 2021

My husband is a heavy drinker, but I don’t think I care anymore. And I really hate waking up at 10am or noon. Usually when we drink, we’re up late which results in sleeping in.

More of a rant than anything, but maybe other folks can relate.

I literally don't understand how the hell we are so busy as a childless married couple.

we're in our 30s and it seems like every waking moment outside of work is being spent on other (admittedly important and worthwhile) things. We're cleaning our house, mowing the lawn, doing other adult tasks and errands. We're spending time with our (large, extended) families and friends, babysitting our baby nephews, helping my parents and grandparents around the garden. We're trying to cook and pack our own meals and exercise regularly.

Sunday is home maintenance and chores.

Monday night is babysitting.

Wednesday night is date night (we play games together on the couch).

Thursday night is meal prep.

Friday night is D&D/Magic night (our one "solo" thing we've been able to keep up, which is still a social thing since we still interact with other people).

And then every single Saturday, there is a family or friend event happening.

Tuesdays are our only "free" night, and we end up filling it with more chores or other adult admin BS that we are always behind on.

I don't remember the last time I actually had a moment to just relax and be by myself or do my own thing. I only ever have maybe 15 minutes to sit and read a book, or do any other calming, creative hobby, between all the other tasks, events, obligations, and responsibilities that are happening any day of the week.

My grandparents are aging. They live 10 minutes away. I KNOW that I could and should be spending more time with them. I love them and care about them. But my god it just feels like yet another plate to spin.

I am so glad that my spouse and I are on the same page with regards to kids (not for us, thanks), because I DONT KNOW how the FUCK we would even manage if we did.

It was a huge trend among millennial parents a few years ago, and the results haven’t been pretty. What’s the new parenting trend today?

Calculate it by taking the average of each of their date of birth years. I'll start by mine:

I was born in 1985, My paternal grandfather was born in 1911, paternal grandmother was born in 1929, maternal grandfather was born in 1919 and maternal grandmother was born in 1924 which gives me an average of 1920.75 which is part of the younger part of the greatest generation (1914-1927).

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Has anyone else found it particularly difficult to debate about a topic with Gen Z?

What I mean about that is I enjoy a true good debate about topics where each individual is open minded about a perspective that might not be theirs. I don't mean they have to take on the same view as me, but at least be open enough to listen to the other side of the argument and actually think/discuss about the topic in an intellectual way.

What I have come across typically is them not willing to listen and being very guarded. And no this isn't regarding any particular topic, just in general.

And please no trash talk comments because that's not my intent. I have Gen Z nieces and nephews that I love and cherish. And there are so many good things I could say about the generation compared to ours. But I'm just genuinely curious if anyone else felt like they were very one sided when talking about topics.

🤔🤔

It occurred to me yesterday that millennials, gen x & z will come to power in the United States soon. At that moment, I had a dream, a day dream actually. I had a dream that we get to make our country what it should be. I believe the U.S., the generations after the boomer generation, will be able to implement societal changes that we all know we need: money out of politics, a government that actually functions, a police force that serves the community instead of serving drug cartels or the incarceration machine (modern slavery — I'll explain below), social safety nets that protect our most vulnerable individuals & protect us all so we can work with dignity.

We can change this country if we stop clinging to a past that isn't working. Shed the boomer mindset. Keep what actually works about our system — the checks that keep tyrants out. Get active, stay informed, show up. That's it. That's the whole ask.

We can compete in the 21st century and let people live with dignity. A manufacturing economy and an information economy, not one instead of the other. Train Americans for both instead of chasing cheap labor overseas. Rural doesn't have to hate urban. Urban doesn't have to hate rural. And schools can be more than daycare, more than brainwashing — they can actually teach.

I believe that freedom can once again ring in the streets of our colonial cities, in city halls across the country, & in state congresses. But it will only do so if we ring the fucking bell. Ring the bell of freedom, ring the bells of capitalists who insistently take more and more as their boards get older and older, ring the bells of the politicians who are merely walking through the motions, who spread division & hatred among us as they take millions from corporate America. We 👏🏻 can 👏🏻 ring 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 bell.

But before we do, we must survive the baby boomer death throes. (I've literally been told by several baby boomers that if I can't find a job I should d1e or go to pris0n.)

Let's explore my bold claim of modern slavery as a reminder of how bad things are outside our bubbles. My home state leads the nation & most of the world in incarceration rates — interesting, right? It just so happens that the 13th amendment allows you to be placed into slavery (we can remove that, btw, we just don't... because, you know, evil) & my state constitution fleshes it out further — but instead of using the word "slavery" like the 13th amendment does, we use the term "involuntary servitude." Coincidentally, this state was also the leader of slavery & GDP in its heyday. So, now you've learned the civil war didn't solve too much. It replaced one form of slavery with another. This is one example of what could change in the coming decade or two if we keep focused & most of all keep hope.

Like brother.. I’m in my 30s..