Mental Health



Memes, Anxiety, and the Curse of Being Too Online: Confessions of a Gen Z-er

Memes, Anxiety, and the Curse of Being Too Online: Confessions of a Gen Z-er
Published On: 16-Nov-2024
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Article by

Ilsa Asim


As a proud member of Generation Z, I've come to accept that my entire existence is a walking contradiction. We're the social media-savvy, climate change-fighting, gender-bending rebels of the 21st century...but we're also the most stressed-out, sleep-deprived young people in modern history. We're confident, go-getters who will literally dance challenges our way to success - but we're also hopeless over thinkers to a fault. And let's not forget our unparalleled skills in the lost art of irony and meme-making. The millennial parents might not understand us but believe me, it’s all very confusing, even for those of us actually living it.

You see, being a Gen Z-er is a uniquely challenging experience. We're the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age, with no concept of a world without constant connectivity and the opportunity to publicly document our every waking moment. And while this exciting new world of technology has undoubtedly offered us incredible advantages, it's also opened up a Pandora's box of mental health struggles, societal pressures, and just a general sense of existential dread. Take social media, for example. On one hand, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter ( formerly known as X ) have given us an unprecedented level of creative freedom and the ability to tap into a global community of like-minded people. But on the other hand, this constant exposure to the carefully curated "perfect" lives of our peers has warped our sense of self-worth and left us in a near-constant state of FOMO. How can we possibly keep up with all the cat meme videos, flex posts, and viral challenges? The struggle is real, my friends.

And let's not forget the added stress of trying to save the entire damn planet. As if navigating the emotional minefield of online life and the standard turbulence of adolescence wasn't enough, us Gen Z-ers also have the added responsibility of fighting against the very real threat of climate change. It's a lot of pressure to put on a generation that's still trying to figure out how to be a proper adult. I mean, how are we supposed to focus on our skincare routines and drop shipping side hustles when the whole world is quite literally on fire? 

But perhaps the most uniquely Gen Z-esque struggle is the challenge of trying to find our place in a rapidly changing social/political landscape. We're a generation that's deeply passionate about progressive causes like racial justice, gender rights, and income inequality - often to a more vocal and radical degree than previous generations. And while that unwavering commitment to creating positive change is admirable, it also puts us in a difficult position of often feeling at odds with our own families and broader cultural norms. Can someone please explain to my older boomer relatives that asking for female gender rights is not a sign of disrespect to our culture? 

 

For young Pakistani Gen Z, there are even more unique challenges to navigate. Growing up, we often feel pulled in two different directions - trying to honor our Pakistani heritage while also living in the modern, Western world. Our families and communities put a lot of pressure on us to follow certain paths, like excelling in school, getting a respectable job, and following traditional gender roles. Things like choosing a nontraditional career or delaying marriage and kids can bring harsh criticism and judgment from our elders. It can feel really suffocating to constantly have to balance these cultural expectations with our own desires and identities. We see rapid social progress happening in Pakistan, which only highlights the disconnect between the "old country" and our current reality here.

Reconciling these two very different worlds requires an incredible amount of resilience and nuance. We have to be willing to politely challenge tradition and "talk back" to our families at times. But in doing so, Pakistani Gen Z-ers are forging a bold, unapologetic identity that celebrates the full complexity of our multicultural experiences. It's not easy, but we're determined to carve out a path that honors both sides of our heritage. 

Of course, it's not all doom and gloom for us Gen Z-ers. After all, we're also the generation that's reinventing the wheel when it comes to self expression. We're ripping up the outdated playbook and building our own paths to success, whether that means starting our own small businesses, going viral with our creative talents, or simply taking a stand and using our voices to affect real change. And let's not forget our unparalleled skills in the lost art of irony and meme-making - truly a superpower that will serve us well in the decades to come. 

Of course, it's not all doom and gloom for us Gen Z-ers. After all, we're also the generation that's reinventing the wheel when it comes to self expression. We're ripping up the outdated playbook and building our own paths to success, whether that means starting our own small businesses, going viral with our creative talents, or simply taking a stand and using our voices to affect real change. And let's not forget our unparalleled skills in the lost art of irony and meme-making - truly a superpower that will serve us well in the decades to come. 

 

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