Sorry I Was Born After 1997

The world is made of different people, and change is the only constant in life.

We hear these quotes all the time, but do we really follow or believe them? Hello, this is Megha from the Gen Z generation.

Nowadays, the only identity I have is from my birth year. People say what you are is known by what values you hold and what work you have done, but now, in this time, our identity is given by the year we were born.

If you were born before 1997, then you are considered smart, gentle, kind, and all the other good things that define the characteristics of a good human being. But if you were born after that, then welcome to the stage where people would love to roast you.

I accept the fact that we (Gen Z) might be different, but that is the only truth in life. No individual in this world follows the same path or has the same behavior. But if I am different, then people have a problem with it.

I stopped crying in public because it is considered to be emotionally weak, just because I fall under the Gen Z era. And speaking up for my rights feels like committing a crime. If I want to balance my personal and professional life, then I am considered lazy and not committed to my work.

They only invented the gadgets and technology, but the blame goes to us. They say we got everything so easily, and we don’t know the meaning of effort and hard work.

But I have a counter:

if we are getting the exposure, then we are also facing the challenges that no one talks about. While in your time, becoming a doctor or an engineer was rare, now it is treated like a new normal. We are also running in a race where everyone is smart, and we are pressured to make the best out of it.

To speak for our rights is not arguing; it is more like having the courage to say no to wrong and choosing what is right.

Because we are not following the same path and are exploring what makes us truly happy, people are calling us the “gandu” generation.

But at this age of yours, tell me honestly, do you not want to do the same, doing what gives you true satisfaction? We are doing the same, but at an earlier stage, I guess, at the right stage. That is, it.

The purpose of writing this blog is not to brag about how cool we are; it is to tell you to accept the change. The next generation might be more forward, but then the circumstances will also be like that. The thing is, do not judge people by their birth years; treat them for what they do, and try to understand why they are doing it.

To all Gen Z:

This does not give us the privilege to do anything in the name of rights. As responsible citizens of this country, we should know our responsibilities and fulfil those, and learn to accept our mistakes, which will only make us better.

I write on this topic because I feel many are under pressure to prove themselves right, not in their careers or professions, but to people who are criticizing them for being Gen Z. Because even if we make a small mistake, people try to relate it to a generational fault.

To all those Gen Zs, you are doing well; just try to be real and not hurt anyone in the name of cool trends. If you are facing this challenge, then try to understand those you might be bullying or not accepting for being different. Accept others the way you want to be accepted by them.

This painting shows Gen Z breaking away from forced traditional paths to find what truly makes them happy.

Because everyone is different, and change is the only constant in life.

Feel free to clap for this post 50 times, even if you were born before 1997