The thing missing from millennial media
As an avid consumer of media aimed at millennial women, I am no stranger to the idea that we must “have it all.” So many blogs and publications for young women carry a theme of being strong and powerful go-getters, of constantly striving to make your dreams a reality, of “hustling” and “grinding.”
On one hand, I think this is great. It’s inspiring and empowering, and reaffirms everything women are capable of. I love reading stories about successful women who are killing it in their careers. I think being a #GIRLBOSS is amazing.
Getting to that point, though, isn’t easy.
The dark side of hard work
Everyone knows being successful and moving up in your professional life takes a lot of hard work and determination. No one achieves anything over night and I haven’t seen anyone gloss over that fact. One thing I’d like to see discussed more, though, is the stress and emotional exhaustion that comes with working towards your goals.
Constantly pouring everything you have into a dream — whether it’s to pass the bar exam, write a book, or start your own business — can be draining. Combine the pressure of succeeding and the fear of failing with the everyday stresses of life, and it’s a miracle we haven’t all gone off the deep end.
A lot of blogs I follow on social media focus only on the positive aspects of working towards your dreams. All the posts are bright and colorful or sleek and sophisticated. Obviously presentation is key to drawing in an audience, but I don’t think these displays are an accurate representation of what life is like for young professionals.
Since graduating college two years ago, my stress levels have probably tripled from what they ever were while I was still in school. The pressure to do something great with my life is suffocating me. Everywhere I look, people my age and younger are achieving things that blow my mind. They’re developing apps, working at national publications, and making the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Seeing all of this on a daily basis only adds to the stress.
Let’s be real
I wish more publications and blogs would be more honest about the struggles of working so hard. Stress, while good in small doses, is hard to handle when it consumes your life. I can’t be the only person feeling this way, so why does no one talk about it?
In the September issue of Cosmopolitan, the entire health/body section is dedicated to stress, and I love it! Twelve whole pages of the magazine are about managing stress and understanding what it does to your body. The section doesn’t try to make stress seem like something that happens only now and then that can go away easily. It takes a refreshingly honest look at how stress is controlling people’s lives.
The section explores questions about how to effectively pursue goals and dreams without letting stress takes over. It discusses how to let go of control, shift your energy, and become calmer.
Most importantly, the section on stress reminded me that I’m not alone in how I’m feeling. I’m not the only person who is stressed out by the fear of failing.
“Fear and stress — one creates the other. It’s like we’re running from lions all day.” — Gabrielle Bernstein in Cosmopolitan
I want to see more millennial-themed media outlets be honest about stress. I don’t think it’s something to try and hide. Being honest about mental health makes everyone stronger. Stress can be an invisible problem, especially in a digital world, but it’s real and it deserves attention.
