Becoming “adults” during the global pandemic
I have become an “adult” during the pandemic (figuratively, not literally, obviously). I experienced more major life milestones in the past 18 months than in the prior 10 years. This isn’t simply a result of having extra time on my hands (which could have contributed to some extent…) but mostly because I am a millennial that delayed a lot of the traditional life milestones associated with “adulting”- getting engaged, buying a car, buying a house and getting married until I was ready. I was already on the path towards adulthood before the pandemic, it was just realized during the pandemic. A Friday night on the couch waiting for my Ramen delivery and watching a new episode of Dateline just has a certain ring to it these days.
Last Sunday I was writing thank you cards for my wedding guests and I had an epiphany-I did ALL of this during a global pandemic! WOW! When I was going through the motions of each milestone, it felt normal because it was my first time experiencing them. In reality, resilience and adaptability have been a necessary way of life for the past 18 months. Open houses weren’t always like going through airport security? Signing mortgage documents in your car isn’t normal? That feeling of seeing yourself in your wedding dress for the first time without a N-95 mask wasn’t the precursor to “saying YES to the dress”? This has been the reality for many millennials that are coming of age during the pandemic. While we all knew that we were living in the “new normal” for the past 18 months, it didn’t feel completely abnormal. Upon reflection, I think it’s because our entire lives have consisted of constantly changing environments that have made us resilient, adaptive and innovative. Not because we chose to be, but because we have had to be!
With that off my chest, I think millennials should be considered the Greatest Generation 2.0. Now before labelling me as yet another ungrateful millennial without an appreciation for history or her elders- just hear me out! We have more in common with the “Greatest Generation” than may be immediately obvious to many. Both generations’ experiences are characterized by economic uncertainty, perseverance and rapid technological innovation. Let’s discuss….
The Greatest Generation was a phrase originally used by Tom Brokaw to refer to the generation that was born between 1900 and 1920. As children of the great depression, this generation experienced devastating economic circumstances in their formative years with their families losing their jobs and businesses without the security of government safety nets. Just as there appeared to be a reason for optimism, America got involved in World War II. Following the war, the generation experienced significant economic and technological transformation with the development of the interstate highway system and the Apollo missions. The life circumstances of this generation gave them the humble “can-do” attitude that every generation since has been measured against. The great-grandchildren of the great generation are millennials.
Millennials are the generation that was born between 1980 and 2000. The term millennial gained traction because they were born near, or came of age, during the new millennium. They are the most ethnically and racially diverse generation in US history, with a distinct worldview given the rapid and constant change that has occurred during their formative years. Millennials graduated from college around the great economic recession of 2008- saddled with a record amount of student loan debt. This tough start has made the “American” dream feel elusive for many millennials. To “hustle” has become a badge of honor-making it easy to simplify the pandemic as a hurdle that must be cleared by going over, through or around. Technology has provided an interesting background for this generation, making them highly adaptable to the constantly changing social environment. They grew up with Super Nintendo, dial up internet and AOL Instant Messenger. Today, this generation is using at least three Apple products at any one time and are saving their money for a Tesla.
So no, living through the COVID pandemic and World War II aren’t comparable…and neither is the great depression of 1920 and the great recession of 2008. However, these circumstances made resilience and adaptability core personality traits for The Greatest Generation and The Greatest Generation 2.0.
