Three Professionals Discuss the Mystery Behind Gen Z Struggling to Achieve Contentment
In the realm of reminiscing, who wouldn't trade all their current troubles for a second trip through their twenties? Oh, how I yearn to relive those halcyon days! For numerous folks, including myself, this decade embodies some of the most precious years of our lives. And why shouldn't it? This was an era of learning, excitement, and countless adventures!
But make no mistake, being young isn't for the faint-hearted. It's about riding the waves of ups and downs, navigating curveballs without a map. However, for many Gen Zers, it seems like life is just an endless valley. For them, contentment feels as elusive as the wind, and hope can sometimes feel as insubstantial as a mirage in the desert. Take a gander at the recent Global Flourishing Study, conducted by Harvard University in conjunction with Baylor University.
Delving into the lives of over 200,000 young people across 22 countries, the report revealed a shocking disclosure. For the first time ever, young people between the ages of 18 and 29 are in a happiness crisis. Contentment is flatlining for an entire generation, and many of them are unsure of how to resuscitate this most necessary emotion.
But it's not just Gen Z that's struggling. Other generations have faced similar challenges, but statistics consistently prove that they are one of the most heavily impacted. In fact, a recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association discovered that over 90% of Gen Zs have experienced at least one physical or emotional symptom due to ongoing stress. But, even though they're the most likely to experience high rates of stress, they're actually the least likely to talk about it with those around them because they don't want to be a burden.
But how did we reach this crossroads? Was there a beacon we overlooked? To answer some of these questions, I've reached out to three mental health experts and asked them their thoughts on this intriguing topic. Here are some of their theories on why Gen Z is struggling to find contentment:
They Feel Like They Must Be Perfect
Kelsey M. Latimer, Ph.D., psychologist and CEO of KML Psychological Services, suggests, "Some in Gen Z appear overwhelmed with pressure to be the best in all things, ensuring they have the best college applications and are best positioned for the future."
The weight of perfectionism is a heavy burden in this generation. According to a recent Gallup study, almost one in three Gen Zers believe that they must be perfect. Interestingly, this number is even higher in girls than boys (40% to 26%).
Gen Z Feels Like It Constantly Needs to Reinvent Itself
Lynn Zakeri, owner of Lynn Zakeri LCSW Clinical Services, echoes Latimer, but even goes one step further. She says, "Gen Z inherited the pressure to be emotionally fluent, socially conscious, digitally present, and endlessly evolving-with no pause to just be."
Is the tide of technology and innovation to blame? Has the dawn of tech left us with the growing pressure to constantly evolve? Is tranquility incompatible with the modern workplace and lifestyle? Zakeri argues that Generation Z is struggling to find contentment because society as a whole is more concerned with innovation than introspection. Perhaps she has a point. And perhaps there's a way we can create spaces for both productivity and personal wellbeing in the 2025 workplace.
Social Media and Instant Validation Are Addictive
Lastly, Daren Banarsë, MA BACP, a senior psychotherapist with a private practice in Central London, England, raises another observation. He reveals, "I see young adults who've never learned to sit with discomfort, who experience panic when their phones die, who feel physically ill when Instagram is down."
He's not alone in his observation. During an interview with NPR back in 2017, Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D., professor of psychology at San Diego State University, postulated the theory that the influx of smartphone usage in 2012 had a direct impact on the rise of loneliness.
For years, research has been conducted around the influence of technology in relation to young people, but until now, much of the conversation was based in theory. However, that's no longer the case. Many professionals, according to a recent study by the McKinsey Health Institute, are now discovering a huge connection between social media and its impact on the way young people see themselves and their worth.
Is Gen Z truly struggling to find contentment? Time will tell if this changes as life becomes more stable or they navigate different stages of adulthood. But as business leaders, we have the power to influence change and create spaces that foster contentment for our employees now. And that starts with giving Gen Z the freedom to come to work with their whole self, even if they're struggling to find joy. The more they understand that your business is a safe sanctuary for them, the more they'll be able to find community, hope, and contentment.
- The Global Flourishing Study, conducted by Harvard University and Baylor University, shows a shocking trend among Gen Zers, with contentment flatlining for an entire generation.
- In the realm of mental health, social media and instant validation are alleged to be addictive, causing young adults to feel anxious and ill when they are away from their phones or when Instagram is down, according to Daren Banarse, a senior psychotherapist.
- In the pursuit of workplace-wellness, mental health awareness month, mental health, and health-and-wellness should be integrated into workplaces to provide a safe and comfortable environment for Gen Z employees, allowing them to come to work with their whole selves, despite the challenges they face in finding contentment.
