The Millennial Burnout Generation: How Being Mean Holds Us Back

The Millennial Burnout Generation: How Being Mean Holds Us Back

In today's fast-paced and hyperconnected world, millennials are experiencing a phenomenon known as burnout. This state of exhaustion is characterized by an intense yearning for completion, but a constant feeling that it cannot be attained. Psychoanalyst Josh Cohen describes burnout as the result of exhausting internal resources while feeling compelled to keep going. Social media plays a role in this burnout, as millennials often use it to narrativize their lives and convince themselves and others that they are living fulfilling and balanced lives.

But why are millennials so prone to burnout? The answer lies in the way we were raised. Risk management has become a dominant child-rearing strategy, with parents closely supervising and guiding their children's every move. This has led millennials to internalize the belief that they should be working all the time. The pressure to find a job that reflects well on their parents and impresses their peers adds to the anxiety and fear of not living up to expectations.

This constant need for validation and the desire to fulfill societal expectations creates a cycle of burnout that cannot be cured by simply taking a vacation. Burnout is not limited to high-stress work environments; it has become the millennial condition, our base temperature, and the background music to our lives. The psychological toll of realizing that all the self-optimization and hard work may not lead to the fulfillment we were promised is devastating.

Another factor contributing to burnout is the commodification of self-care. Society tells us that our personal spaces, our selves, and our careers should be optimized. But in reality, this constant pursuit of optimization only leads to fatigue and more burnout. What should be enjoyable activities are flattened into a list of tasks, further adding to the overwhelming sense of burnout.

Moreover, financial insecurity adds a massive cognitive load to those who experience it. To survive, we must normalize the threats, information overload, and expectations placed upon us. Burnout becomes our permanent residence, and it affects our behavior and productivity.

On the other hand, being mean has proven to be a hindrance to success. Successful startup founders, for example, tend to be good people. Being mean makes you stupid, as fights and conflicts only lead to subpar performance. Startups don't win by attacking; they win by transcending. Mean founders also struggle to attract and retain top talent, as people are less likely to work for someone who is unkind. Benevolence and a genuine desire to build great things are more effective drivers of success.