The Millennial Curse

The year is winding to a close, and upon reflecting on the almost entireity of 2017, I’ve spent most of it in a web of moral dilemma.

My twentieth year of life welcomed me to a myriad of inner confliction, confusion and personal misdirection, which has had me in an existential crisis for 99% of it. My eagerness to jump from one phase of life to the next has seriously built me into someone I never thought I’d become (and quite frankly, someone I’m not all that fond of). She’s chronically impatient, easily bored, and wasting away perfectly ripened 24 hour time slots to get to the more exciting bits of life.

But a few weeks ago, I was reading an article that shed light on this phenomenon I’ve been trudging my way through. I give you…. The Millennial Curse – the kryptonite of all young specimens, affecting each individual in different measure. Most simply put, the Millennial Curse is wanting something (be it: a satisfying job, a bangin’ body, a selection of indoor plants that live longer than a fortnight) and wanting it to come into effect immediately.

Us millennials, well, we’re the bludgers of first-world society. We’re living mortgage-free lives and livestreaming lectures from bed. We’re all too young to be qualified in something and making a buck out of it, but too old to slip into the blissful unawares of being a kid. So instead, we’re just anticipating the main event. We’re literally living in life’s waiting room.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not by any means unhappy with my current situation. My problem is my constant itchy feet – I’m so beyond excited and anticipant for what’s around the next corner, that I struggle to appreciate what’s going on right in front of me. I’m wishing away time to inch closer and closer to milestones that I think will give me maximum satisfaction in life. And all the while, all the good that’s smack-bang in front of me – the people, places, opportunities that are laid out on a silver platter – are going completely unnoticed.

So let’s rewind a bit: I’m reading this article about the Millennial Curse, I’m gobbling up every word. I’ve found my diagnosis. This concept – this wanting everything now – I’m falling victim to its every symptom: impatient, agitated, bored, confused.

And then, my most buried emotion of the year made its grand appearance…. Guilt.   

I’ve been abusive to time. I’ve been unfair to my 20th year. I’ve been rushing it along, wishing it away, praying I’d wake up Suddenly 30 like Jennifer Garner and be in the prime of adulting life. But someday, I know I’ll look back and wish I could be twenty again. To be able to wake up and call the Gold Coast home. To see my mum and dad every morning at the breakfast table. To look in the mirror and see no lines on my face. To live close by all my nearest and dearest. To be a short drive away from the beach. To be young and energetic and not have a worry in the world.

All this grown up stuff, it’s on its way. And do you know what? It will be as incredible as I've always dreamt it to be. But right now, all this prelude, it’s pretty darn great too.

So, going into the final couple of months of 2017 and beyond, I’m gearing myself up for some change. No more wishing away time. No more skimming through the days like it’s a chore. No more saying I can’t wait. Because every bit of life – no matter how mundane or wonderful or bothersome or brilliant it may seem – is a precious one. Definitely not a curse.