The Generational Divide: Reflections on Living and Thriving

A Journey Through Generations

By Rola Elnaggar

For the past few months, I have been spending a lot of time with an older generation of women, the age of my grandmother. By listening to their stories and watching them interact, I realized something profound: we, Gen Zers, aren’t really living.

These women shared tales of their youth, a time when risks were taken, and nothing felt too serious or embarrassing. They spoke with the kind of confidence that comes from truly knowing who you are. Their lives were filled to the brim with adventures and experiences, leaving no room for rumination or self-doubt. Yes, their lives were hard, but they met challenges with a lively spirit. They never took themselves too seriously, not back then, and certainly not now. They recounted traumatic events, often barely acknowledging them as traumas.

In stark contrast, we find ourselves in a state of defense, perpetually hesitant about nearly every aspect of life. They tell us to trust our gut, but how can we do that when half our generation struggles with a functioning, healthy gut to begin with?

The Fear of Observation

We can never spontaneously break out into a dance in the middle of the street. Why? Because we are scared of being observed. We fear that someone might pull out their camera and film us, only for it to end up as a meme or a long thread of commentary questioning our behaviour, our outfits, and our physique. And honestly, can we blame ourselves for feeling this way?

Being a generation that grew up with one foot in and one foot out of the internet, it’s easy to feel hesitant about the life we are leading. We know there are other ways to live. We have experienced them. Surrounded by countless options, we often find it hard to choose just one. Yet, we also delude ourselves into thinking we know it all because of the tools at our disposal. These tools have made our lives easier by solving past generations’ problems—issues like lack of communication, logistical delays, and overwhelming workloads.

The Burden of Choice

This newfound ease has given us plenty of time on our hands but has also shifted our focus inward. We’ve become more self-conscious, questioning our every move. I began to wonder: is this a natural symptom of being a 20-year-old, or is it a Gen Z trait we will carry into our thirties and forties?

It could be both. Studies indicate that our parents were more self-actualized at our age than we ever are. We are a generation that grew up amidst unjustified, irrational wars, either waged on our behalf or against us. This reality has made us hesitant to commit to relationships or jobs. We know we might not exist tomorrow, and the looming threat of AI potentially replacing us adds to our anxiety about the future.

Paranoia and Self-Doubt

The world has shaped us into a paranoid generation. We can’t trust what we read online, and we struggle to trust ourselves to make the right decisions. This constant questioning leads to accusations that we are too sensitive or unfit to work.

Looking around at my friends and their circles, I see young people hesitant to grow up. They are hesitant to love, to start families, and to stick with jobs. They hesitate to laugh at a joke, fearing it might become offensive later on. Many stories in my circle begin with, “I left my old job and started a new one,” and end with, “I’m thinking of leaving this new job, too.”

It infuriates me. The potential we had as a generation feels consumed and wasted on uncertainties that extend beyond our control. So, how do we assert control?

The Illusion of Control

We don’t, but we try. We focus on our bodies, our looks, and our emotional stability. This focus may seem shallow and self-centered, but these are the only things we can genuinely control. It’s a form of curation, much like the way we post photos of ourselves online. We create an image, a visual representation that we can manage, taking multiple photos until we find the perfect one.

This approach is a survival mechanism in a chaotic world, yet it feels rehearsed and unnatural. Consider how older generations captured moments. They grew up with old, expensive cameras and limited film, often taking just one photo and hoping for the best. It was inconvenient, but it made those memories far more valuable.

Embracing Uncertainty

In the end, we must acknowledge that we may never be the risk-takers our grandparents were. We are reclusive, scared individuals, shaped by everything we grew up with. When you feel attacked, it’s natural to become defensive. I only hope for some certainties—some guarantees that there will be a tomorrow for us in which we can live and thrive.

I hope those uncertainties arise from natural challenges that help us grow and build character, rather than from external pressures. Only then can we begin to heal and perhaps unlock our true potential.

Conclusion

As we navigate this complex world, let us remember the stories of those who came before us. Their experiences can guide us, reminding us that life is not just about surviving but about truly living.

Bio: Rola Elnaggar is a writer and a researcher. Her work has appeared in Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Roe Magazine, BULL, and other publications. She is currently working on her novel as well as a Master’s degree in literature and film studies.

Instagram: @rolaelnaggar

X: @rola_naggar

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