We are the tired generation

Yes, we are the tired generation. The past weekend, I had an experience that reminded me of this truth. My best friend invited me to see the Fabulous Bianca Del Rio perform live. Her show was a two-hour escape filled with laughter and clever wit, even as she performed for a primarily Mexican audience in English. It was a breath of fresh air—a much-needed break.

Before the show, my friend and I had a deep conversation that ranged from work struggles to lighthearted anecdotes. We found ourselves reflecting on the demands of modern life. As millennials, we were raised on the promise of a stable future if we excelled academically. Yet here we are, carrying the weight of an unstable world on our shoulders, fighting just to stay afloat.

A Historical Perspective on Hardship and Resilience

Reflecting on history, I can’t help but notice similarities between our current struggles and those of past generations. Consider the Great Depression—a time when people didn’t just struggle with unemployment, but with accessing basic necessities like flour and sugar. During the pandemic, I encountered Dylan Hollis, author and content creator of "Baking Yesteryear", he explores old recipes from that era reminding us of how resourcefulness became a survival skill.

Today, we face a different kind of scarcity. It's not just about tangible resources but also emotional and mental bandwidth. We are constantly adapting to economic instability, navigating a job market that undervalues our education, and attempting to secure a future amid a looming climate crisis. No wonder my younger cousins born in 2000 are shocked and rather invest their time navigating the internet.

We are told to fix the world's problems—to protest, to vote, to innovate—while working 40+ hours a week, paying rent that consumes half our paycheck (which by the way, is paying off the luxurious life of people who don't have jobs but own properties), and dealing with systemic barriers to homeownership and job security. In essence, we are expected to do it all: survive, thrive, and save the planet. "And don't forget to be happy and grateful about it."

We want to care. We want to take action. But we are exhausted. The promise of a better life after "working hard" now feels like a bait-and-switch. Where previous generations could afford homes in their 20s, many millennials don’t see that reality until their late 30s—if at all.

Entertainment has become our lifeline. It’s not about escapism in the negative sense but about reclaiming joy. Shows, social media, and creative outlets remind us that life is about more than bills and deadlines. It’s a way to process our fatigue and make space for laughter and connection.

Bianca Del Rio has quickly become one of my favorite comedians now. She embodies what many in our generation craves: the unvarnished truth, delivered unapologetically, even when it’s uncomfortable to hear. It’s refreshing because it cuts through the noise of politeness and passive inaction: Something we need, but in measured situations and topics.

Nevetrheless, this sharp wit also underscores a deeper fear—that in five years, we might face a workforce collapse. Younger generations are burning out faster than ever, and global shifts could tilt the scales. What once was a flourishing legacy built by the Olde Generations risks being eroded—not because of lack of effort or intelligence—but because we’ve allowed the rapid march of technology to outpace humanity’s ability to adapt. Like the fall of Rome to Constantinople, we may find ourselves entering a modern "middle age," where innovation thrives elsewhere while we grapple with stagnation.

Conclusion

We are not lazy or indifferent. We are overwhelmed by a system that demands more than we can sustainably give. Recognizing this isn’t defeatist—it’s empowering. It allows us to challenge the narrative that exhaustion is a badge of honor and to advocate for balance.

Photo by Elisa Kennemer on Unsplash