My entire life has changed as a result of having a chronic disabling health condition. Here are some of the ways I’ve become like a stereotypical Millennial as a result:
- I wait until the last minute to make plans (though not because I’m waiting to see if something better comes along – it’s because I don’t know if I’ll be healthy enough to participate).
- I communicate with friends and family mostly through texts and social media (because I can do it on my terms, as my energy levels allow).
- I have limited face-to-face communication (I’m allergic to fragrances, and seldom leave the house).
- I do most of my shopping through Amazon Prime (due to that whole “seldom leaving the house” thing).
- Netflix-and-chill binge-watching is how I spend entire days/weeks during a flare up of my symptoms.
- I blog about my problems/experiences. 🙂
- I use social media to find good restaurants (ones that make allergy-friendly meals).
- I’m constantly looking for work, but currently unemployed.
- Expressing myself with wild hair
- Disillusionment with authority/experts – in my case, medical ones
- It’s all about my smart phone (which is set with multiple alarms to remind me to take my various meds – from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep).
- I speak Internet: memes, music clips, video clips, gifs, pictures & emoticons all make communication richer.
- I see tiny/minimalist/simple living as a way to live life on my own terms (those terms having been dictated to me by my illness).
- I think technology is very useful (and hopes it brings the solution to my health problems).
To read more about Millennial research, see here.
To see how Millennial you are, take this quiz.
According to the quiz, I am 76% Millennial, while a typical Gen X’er is only 33% Millennial. If I had a piercing or a tatt, I would have scored even higher. (I intended to get my first tattoo this year, but, you guessed it, allergic!) Having a tattoo would have made me 84% Millennial.
How has living with a chronic disabling illness or injury changed you? How Millennial are you (and why/why not)?
