A little while before my husband and I tied the knot, he casually asked, “If I ask nicely, would you show me your private box?” That question made me squirm. The thought of revealing my private box filled me with embarrassment. What would he think when he saw the contents that I had kept hidden from everyone?
With a mix of reluctance and curiosity, I stood up and retrieved the shoebox stashed away underneath our bed. Back in the dining room, I opened it up, and to my dismay, a flurry of white slips spilled out, alongside the thud of my checkbook.
At just 23 years old, I was working a decent job but had zero skills in managing my finances. For me, “banking” meant tossing receipts and bills into a box, only to confront them when those dreaded letters arrived, threatening to shut off my electricity. My financial literacy was nonexistent, and I knew little about other essential life tasks, like cooking or even how to jumpstart a car battery. I had a nursing degree and could easily navigate a cardiac emergency, but balancing a checkbook left me utterly bewildered.
I felt like a fraud in the so-called grown-up world. Luckily, my patient husband stepped in, teaching me the basics of budgeting until I finally grasped the concept of a balanced checkbook. Although I felt like I was failing, my desire to learn helped me rise above my insecurities. Now, I’m proud to say I’ve become quite adept at budgeting and cooking.
My experiences reflect a broader reality. As someone born in the late 1970s, I grew up in Generation X—a generation that prides itself on independence and resilience. We were the original latchkey kids, growing up amidst rising divorce rates and a flourishing economy. Yes, we may have been labeled as cynical or unfocused, but we ultimately adapted and thrived, even if we were often clueless about adult responsibilities.
Yet, I notice an unfortunate trend: Gen Xers often criticize millennials for being lazy or unprepared for adult life. We seem to forget that we, too, were once inexperienced and unsure of how to navigate adulthood. It’s time to stop casting judgment on millennials for their perceived shortcomings when we were just as lost.
Recently, two women from Maine ignited a conversation by founding The Adulting School, a place where millennials can learn essential life skills—from budgeting to insurance claims. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many young adults eager to gain the tools they need to thrive.
While some may argue that millennials weren’t adequately prepared by their parents, I believe that notion is misguided. Just because a millennial struggles with budgeting or managing debt doesn’t mean they lack the ability to succeed. I’m 42 and still grapple with understanding some social media platforms; we’re all on a continuous learning journey.
I would have loved to enroll in The Adulting School back in my 20s to master budgeting. Critics may joke about millennials seeking shortcuts, but the truth is that adulthood can be daunting, and having resources to help navigate it is invaluable.
In many ways, millennials are outpacing Generation X. They openly acknowledge their struggles and actively seek help, rather than hiding behind their insecurities. I admire how this generation has achieved a healthier work-life balance and embraced technology to enhance their productivity. They are also more willing to tackle social issues head-on, exhibiting a sense of purpose that we can all learn from.
Millennials are doing just fine, and they certainly don’t need our criticism. We should let go of the “back in my day” mentality and embrace the growth we see in their generation. They’ve learned to raise children in the digital age and advocate for social justice with passion. Frankly, I’d gladly trade places with a millennial any day—especially if it means getting a Snapchat tutorial!
In summary, let’s support millennials rather than judge them. Their journey may look different from ours, but they are navigating adulthood in their own unique way.
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