Gen Z, popularly known as the ‘social media generation’ is ruling the world today. The digital generation drives social media’s algorithm while simultaneously being driven by it. However, Gen Zs come out as too woke and mean as they continue to break stereotypes around mental health, work culture toxicity, sex education and more. Maybe they should get some credit for calling out the so-called normal behaviour that’s been ruining lives for ages. Moreover, Gen Zs have ‘destroyed stardom’ as brilliant comedian and actor Vir Das puts it. Even a famous personality isn’t free from the eagle-eyed Gen Z if their actions or opinions don’t align with today’s society. If this generation has it all figured out, why are they still unhappy and lonely?

Aesthetically available

Gen Z is the social media generation, right? As a fellow Gen Z, I would like to confess — we have it all sorted on social media, but if you care to peek inside our lives, you’ll see the mess. This is an alarming concern that most of us feel. Our social media life fulfils every spectrum of aesthetics, making ordinary life a little too mundane. If we could put filters to blur out our flaws, insecurities, frustrations, and loneliness in real life, we’d not limit the character only to our Gram. We inhale trends and exhale opinions with an urge to create a lively and safe space for everyone. But between all this, we are feeling the pangs of loneliness.

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Everywhere yet nowhere

Currently, social media is the cause behind Gen Z’s limited attention span, ever-increasing boredom and unrealistic expectations. Our brain functions on the excessive dopamine of likes, shares and comments and shuts down in its absence. A new US study by Daniel Fick, RedBox Rx’s chief medical officer, reveals that while 53% of the Gen Z cohort reports loneliness, 52% is struggling with career anxiety. My generation wants to become millionaires at 20 and achieve everything by 25 while keeping up with social life. “Oh, my friend just got a silver YouTube button,” and “Wow, he got the new iPhone model” are some of the many examples that keep us anxious. The unsaid pressure we feel from our peers makes us a part of the hustle, which comes at the cost of forced solitude. Can you imagine how stressful it is?

Love in the time of Gen Z

My generation is desperate to be with someone but won’t grow out of situationships, flings, casual sex, open relationships and so on. We yearn for long-term relationships, but our partners are hellbent on having casual relationships out of fear of commitment. The internet regularly comes up with mind-scratching terms like breadcrumbing, ghosting, gaslighting, love-bombing and several other phrases we fail to follow. Moreover, casual has become the new cool, making us frustrated and isolated from our lot. This ultimately paves the way for loneliness. How can we not feel alone while succumbing to loneliness?

Make the way for life

Dear Gen Z friends, I know our worries are as real as climate change. But, we are still far from experiencing doomsday, so we should take a chill pill. Instagram algorithm is fickle, and running our lives around it equals stupidity. Social media can never be our reality and we, are so much more than instant likes, our last-seen(s), aesthetic online presence, and cool outfits. The next time you feel like you’re not doing enough which pushes you to further isolation, listen to Rainn Wilson, aka Dwight’s advice for people in their 20s.

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