Today’s young generation is one that’s growing up in a time of modernization, in terms of technology, and social values. Many, not all, parents raise their children with unconditional love and support, encouraging freedom of speech and supporting their children through anything and everything.

This is a great thing, isn’t it?

When we examine the past, many, not all, parents raised their children with conditional love, because that was the social norm and popular method of parenting. Parents would love their children if they went to church every week, if they worked hard, if they kept quiet and did as they were told.

These are broad and vague examples. However, it’s clear that nowadays the popular opinion of society is to be loving towards one another, to be socially acceptable of everyone, and not discriminate. Note, how I used ‘popular opinion’, as I’m not suggesting everyone follows these practices, only that it’s encouraged to in Western society.

I’ve attached a video by Simon Sinek, a professional consultant and motivational speaker. I was shocked after watching this video, and I’m not sure why. He spoke about how millennials have been raised in loving environments, where they’ve become dependent on instant gratification. He suggests that this isn’t the young generations fault, as older generations may try to compensate for the love that they never received through their parenting practices.

What struck me about this video, was our obsession with screens. This is something the media is constantly talking about, that older generations are criticizing. But, I always assumed that I wasn’t as bad as other people I know, who are glued to their screens. Yet, Sinek talks about how even having your phone on the table when meeting with friends, or scrolling through your phone before a meeting, is extremely unsociable, and practically a way of saying ‘I’d rather not be here or talk to you right now’.

Sinek discusses how, when one is on their phone and checking for likes on their post, they are releasing dopamine in their body (happy hormones released when rewarded or motivated). Dopamine is released when exercising, after great social interactions, or partaking in happy hobbies. So, why are we wasting it on screens? This ‘high’ we get from scrolling through our phones, and getting likes, is addictive. It’s no wonder people are glued to their phones.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the world of screens. Social media often feels like reality, many people spend their nights out recording them having a ‘great time’ with their friends (something I’m often guilty of). But how can you be having a great time if you are obsessing over sharing it with the world, obsessing over what other’s think and not living in the moment?

Tinder is a way for people to meet, but it’s also an excuse for people to sit at home, swiping left and right mindlessly for hours, avoiding having to try meet someone in person.

We are all guilty of hiding behind screens everyday, of using screens to talk to people rather than opening our eyes to the people behind us. Of caring more about developing our image on Instagram, than trying to be a good person everyday in reality. It’s no wonder that mental health problems have become so prevalent nowadays, as we are all obsessed with what the world thinks of us, it can be so self deprecating comparing your life with others, as everyone’s path is different and we all move at our own pace.

Sinek spoke about how millennials are impatient, as they are so used to instant gratification. He notices when they start new jobs, many have large ambitions to make ‘an impact’on the world, and are usually unhappy when they aren’t seeing immediate changes or rewards in their work place.  Of course, there are many benefits of thinking big, and being ambitious, but it’s important to know the value of hard work and to accept failure. As many young people have been too dependent on their parents.

So, I’m sharing this post because it’s important for people to realize the effects that social media, screens or even their parenting practices can have on them. It’s good to realize the importance of patience through failure and hard times, and to understand that we can’t control everything that happens in life.

Instead of swiping right, maybe go up to someone in the street and simply say ‘hello’. It shouldn’t be as scary as it seems.

Happy Friday!

🙂

Saoirse