Am I a Gen Z'er trapped in a millennial's body?

"This is me, 12 years old, in the final class of my primary school, living my best life in a small Dutch town."

My days were filled with 'flippo's', Ace of Base, and sneaky phone calls to the landline of my secret crush, abruptly ended by the sound of a dad's voice. Marbles, baseball, and the thrilling secrecy of reading the 'Hit krant' colored my youth.

When young professionals enter the workplace, I often find parallels with my early career. Their questions and challenges remind me of my own beginnings, this can lead to the realization.

"Well, actually, all generations are the same in that stage."

But is that really the case? I pondered, browsing through old photos of myself at the age my oldest daughter is now. These memories cast doubt on our assumptions about generational similarities.

Anonymous Highlights & social breaks in France

Let's go back to the nineties for a minute... My highlight of the year was a lip-sync battle at the community center where I innocently performed Lois Lane's

I want upstairs, close to youuu”. Fortunately, there were no phones to capture this…

Summers meant taking a break from everything, cramming into a car with my family of six for a French getaway, momentarily escaping the daily dynamics and social control.

Post-primary school life seemed straightforward,

destined for a high school that mirrored my religious background without a second thought from me.

Life was simple, yet, of course, it came with its personal challenges.

Fast Forward to Generation Z

The narrative shifts to the present, showcasing a stark contrast. Sitting in 8th grade with 30 others, and outside the classroom, through Snapchat, they expand their social spheres to the city, and even beyond. And there's no checking out, not even on vacations.

The Challenge of Constant Comparison

Every kid compares themselves to others, but now it's not just peers from your class; it's the entire city, country, and beyond, unveiling a world of possibilities that I at my reformed high school could only dream of. They are very aware of the world's state, and it worries them, rightly so.

The abundance of choices for high schools, the pressure of portraying a perfect life on social media, and the heightened role of parents in safeguarding their paths make them not so resilient.

Become an ally for Generation Z

I don't claim Gen Z'ers are fundamentally different; it's the era that's changed, emphasizing the need for understanding. It's about time we dive deep into understanding this.

You don’t want to become the stubborn old guard, right? What we should become are allies for the next generation, to help them see perspective and coach them on their journey."

Sometimes, I joke I'm a Gen Z soul trapped in a millennial body, but really, I'm just a very old millennial keen on staying informed....

Because, in the spirit of one of my favorite '90s artists, the Fugees: "Ready or not, here they come.."

Join the Conversation: Interested in diving deeper into Gen Z? Join our learning lunch on April 11. DM me if you're in!