Millenials, Gen Z and minimalism
This is a sequel to last month’s article, so I hope you’ve read that one!
I’ve come to a realization that people aged 40 and above can learn some things from millennials and Gen Z. One such thing is minimalism.
Many young folks of these generations grew up having anything they wanted. However, with rising inflation, they have learned that spending money on frivolous things is not productive. They are choosing to spend less, have no cars or less expensive ones, and dress minimally but with impact. Research shows that the vast majority of shoppers at thrift or second-hand stores is millennials and Gen Z. Many simply cannot afford lavish “things” – homes, cars, furniture, etc. So they veer towards solutions that are creative and DIY, making the most of what they have.
As I watch my children live in their own homes, it astounds me that, while our home is in constant need of “weeding out”, theirs appear to be just the perfect blend of necessities and wants, all with a personal touch. They prefer to spend their time and money on investing in themselves, with pursuits like travel, healthy eating, exercise and further education. In other words, living.
A growing number of millennials are concerned, not surprisingly, about the environmental impact of human behaviour. Global warming, rising gas prices, pollution, wars and natural disasters are causing concern for the future. Living minimally contributes to the concept of zero-waste. Another reason why it’s so popular with younger people.
In the corporate workspace, millennials have long been labelled as “entitled”, “needy”, or even “lazy”. I beg to differ. My takeaway from having worked with this generation is that they have it right: the way they pay importance to the meaningful things in life – friends, family, experiences, and the fact that they yearn to achieve real work-life balance, is commendable. If the generations before them had followed these principles, the world, undoubtedly, would be in a better place!
These are the people who are taking responsibility. They will have to solve the problems that previous generations have created. In doing that, they may find a path to world peace! So maybe, instead of judging the younger generations, we should reflect on why they do what they do. Perhaps they’re onto something that is for the betterment of their future and that of the planet.
Email me: bernadette@gogettercoaching.com .