Over the last few years or so, I’ve worked with a great many young adults – normally in their early 20s and having recently finished University. The overwhelming impression I get is that they are apathetic to life. They are drawn into the negative thinking and feelings that the “recession” has created and because they have to work hard to find a job, they soon get disillusioned and enter into a “there’s no point in trying” attitude.
In many ways, it’s really easy to see why so many of our young adults are now so apathetic, it’s pretty easy to make the excuse that it’s too hard to find work these days, so therefore they have no money to go out and enjoy themselves… However this really doesn’t help them at all. I can’t imagine what damage this is all doing to them for their future lives and how this will effect their attitude as they plod through life.
What is increasingly scary is that many of them are being prescribed anti-depressants, when all they really need to do is get some exercise, get a hobby and start doing something with their lives. Those who will thrive in this more difficult economic climate, are the ones who are able to think differently and will find a way to create an income out of the things that they love to do. The truth is, there is lots of money out there to be had – I’ve met so many people recently who are making lots of money, by thinking for themselves and putting themselves out there.
This poor, depressed generation of young people in their 20s are in for a rough life. Their expectations will shape their development and future life progress. Imagine if they start out by feeling like there’s no point in trying… what are this generation going to be like in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s? Depression is only the tip of the iceberg for this generation, unless we can get through to them and show them that actually there is a huge opportunity for them out there.
What is this opportunity? Well to be honest, it’s whatever they want for themselves. Hopefully they can learn that there is an alternative to working really hard in a job you detest. If you can find a way to create an income out of something you love to do, then you are in for a fantastic life. The world is changing and this generation are either going to spiral into depression and apathy, or they will rise above it all and be the generation who create the great change that we are so desperately needing.
If there is a young adult in your life who is lost, lacking in confidence and generally sliding into apathy… recommend that they do something about it. My confidence workshop is a good place to begin, or I offer one-to-one coaching which can really help kick start them into action and then see through their goals.
This is a really big problem and it’s going to take some serious intervention to make a significant difference to these young people.
You really hit the nail on the head. My wife and I work with high school students and it is sad to see their outlook on life being so jaded. We often see our students again throughout their time in college, and sometimes afterward as well, and there is a sad hopelessness that so many of them share. It seems like so much has been done for them for their whole lives, they do not know how to deal with having to make difficult decisions on their own. If anything varies from the plan that they had, they do not know how to think of a new plan on their own.
Hi, thanks for your comment. This not being able to think of a new plan is a major issue – I speak to many business owners and managers who have a huge problem with graduate and young adult employees who are unable to use their own initiative.
What you have pointed out are definitely true! Youth nowadays are worrying a lot of things that they forgot to enjoy being young. There are also lots of youth who wasted their time in things that could not help them to their future. Those who are aware of what is happening in this world worries too much that they find it hard to reach their goals. Aside from doing what they wanted to improve their lives and themselves they are always thinking negatively that others failed to do what they are capable of doing.
Thanks Agla
negative thinking is the main cause to go into depression. young generation should think positive to boost the confidence level.
Easier said than done!
We are all so bombarded with everything now in a way that wasn’t possible in the past. I think it causes anxiety and even mild depression in even the most “normal of people” We no longer just go to work, come home, relax and go to bed. The world and the economy now requires our lives to be much more complicated and, well, stressful then that now.
You’re right – it’s not just young adults… we’re all victims to this complicated life stuff! To be honest, it’s probably just one more way to control the masses – we’ve had religion and political regimes that have (and still do) successfully keep the masses in their place… now for the consumer world we’ve a new way to do it! Technology should make our lives easier, however sadly it seems to me that we are simply becoming slaves to it. There will be a huge industry (probably an evolution of the self-help industry) that builds up that helps people reconnect to reality and disconnect from their digital world. In fact, there will be a syndrome… if there isn’t one already! Maybe it will be called Digital Affective Disorder (DAD)…
I definitely have to say, honestly this is one of the best post I’ve read. First off yes there are many young adults in their 20s who are starting to develop that “what’s the point” mentality. How do I know that? Well I’m a young adult in my early 20s.. I see so many of my friends get laid off from work because of the economic pressures and like you said have a hard time finding another. I think they get depressed because getting laid off and not having any money wasn’t in their “Life Time-line”. For example: Age 16 – get a drivers license. Age 18 – go to college. Age 22 – Graduate. and so on. This caught them off guard because they didn’t plan for this, that’s probably why they’re depressed.
Again Thank you and regards, great post!
Thanks for your comments. That’s a really good summary of where your generation are at. The thing about great hardship, is that it creates the greatest opportunity for us to create something extraordinary in our lives. There are so many stories of people suffering great tragedy or loss and going on to create something that makes a difference to so many people in similar circumstances. There will be people of your generation who are going to do some incredible things – the world needs it and the stage is set for it to happen.
I honestly think that we should point fingers in all directions because everybody is somehow, even in the littlest way is at fault here so doing something about this will be a combined effort
Hi Katya,
Although I understand the sentiment… pointing fingers is never a good plan. Be the change you wish to see in the world, as Gandhi said…
I am a young adult and I am now suprised over how many in my generation who thinks like this. Me myself believe that you create your own happiness and that you need to expect the best in life to receive the best in life.
You are one of the ones who will do great things… it’s no different for any generation, although for yours it seems as though the gap between a mundane life and an extraordinary life is going to widen considerably.
I can certainly relate to this, because I found it very hard to find work after leaving my job. It didn’t help me sleep either at night, and I’m sure it is equally bad for anyone young who has difficulty getting a job that they like, and so have to put up with a terrible job, along with bad pay. I’m all for a total change in the entire system that we live in.
It would be interesting to hear more about your ideas for a total change!
We are in middle of 2010 and it was 2008,which caused economic downfall and it’s effects can still be measured,but now economic growth has achieved its earlier pace and the situation is far good than it was expected. There are lot of jobs and opportunity in many areas,the requirement is only quality.
Youngsters should focus on achieving that capability,which can bring them at high level.
“If there is a hope and action,than the success would knock your door”
Thanks for your thoughts.
Some interesting thoughts and comments. When you look around at the media, a great deal of it has a negative focus, so it is no surprise that young adults become negative thinkers. So I believe the media should occasionally focus on positive stories, or items with positive outcomes, that show great things are possible. The rescue of the trapped miners is a good example.. people working together to save lives..
Once again, thanks for the post.
Thanks for the comment.
Love your blog, keep up the good work and keep sharing the love around. If you want change then you need to Focus on that change. We need to take responsibility for every action in our lives. Passing the blame onto others will never make it better, as a matter of fact it can only make it worse. I have experienced many so called hardships throughout my life, but they remain in the past and no matter what happened, if I wanted to have a better life I had to take charge. I did not blame anyone for the outcome of my life and take total pride in how I have achieved happiness and abundance in my life. I have a five year old who has two very wise quotes ! “You are what you think” and “I am the Master of my mind and the Captain of my soul” if he understands this now you can only begin to imagine the manifestation he will create in the future. There is only one law and that Is The Law Of Attraction. Believe It, See It and Receive It.
Thanks Marilyn. Your five year old has a great head start!