Zen Z: Through Chaos, Calm and the Internet
Perpetually connected, persistently lonely. What now?
I was born in 1997. The year during which the generational baton was passed on from the Millennials to the Gen Z. Little did we know that as we were taking our first steps in the world (literally), we were also stepping into the era of a global digital revolution. It’s a paradoxical sitcom, folks — we’re always connected, yet forever questing for authentic connections!
In this storyline, we’ve become the protagonists of a technological comedy, where emojis speak louder than words, GIFs convey our emotions more accurately than sentences do, and memes make me LOL better than some famous comedians have.
Yet, amid the laughter-inducing memes and viral trends, there lies a poignant yearning for authenticity and something real. Don’t be fooled by our keyboards that clatter with rhythmic precision, we may be chatting but there is often little conversation. This is the paradox that defines the Gen-Z sitcom.
In our quest to remain calm, our smartphones are both our sidekicks and comedic adversaries. From autocorrect blunders that turn innocent messages into unintentional ones, grappling with our ever-declining attention span (my Gen is apparently at 8 seconds), and the ever-elusive battle against predictive text, this is how the Gen-Z (currently aged between 26 to 12) is spending their golden years!
And let’s not forget the high-stakes drama of online dating in the Gen Z era. Swipe left, swipe right — a modern-day Shakespearean dilemma playing out in pixels and profiles. The quest for a genuine connection involves decoding bios, deciphering emojis, and mastering the delicate art of the perfect selfie — all while attempting to outsmart algorithms that seem to have a mind of their own.
What now?
A friend chuckled and proposed a mass Gen-Z Vipassana as the solution. This ancient Indian practice, dating back 2,000 years, undoubtedly holds merit. However, spending days in silence won’t hush our noisy thoughts. There is no ‘mute always’ option for the perpetually overstimulated Gen-Z brain.
The quest for balance endures — a delicate dance amid the chaos and calm of the internet era. Consider three mindset practices:
- Building a formidable ‘happiness bank’: Craft a resilient ‘happiness bank’ — a repository of joyous moments, memories, and positive experiences. Can we create more #CoreMemories with the people we love and with ourselves that are simple, joyful & happy to help us get through darker days? Can we be mindful of the thoughts in our head? Both these practices will make a world of difference.
A Post-It note on my study table that I look at every day instructs me to “train my thoughts”, discipline them, observe them, change them liberally.
2. Audit your life: Similar to how companies must undertake regular financial audits to remain healthy, an internal energy audit may help us become calmer. This requires self awareness, silent periods of reflection, and a modest degree of honesty. Let go of stressful connections, & cultivate those that nurture us and bring meaning. Quality over clutter, folks.
Oftentimes people come into our lives only for brief periods of time. We want them to be a full chapter or co-author our story with us. But maybe their purpose is just to be a footnote. Let people go with love. Hold no one hostage — irrespective of the duration, depth or honesty of the equation.
3. Digital Minimalism: Simplify your digital space. A minimalist approach to technology may sometimes be the antidote that we need. It involves decluttering virtual spaces, detaching from incessant notifications, and consciously choosing online interactions that will add meaning to our lives. True fulfilment extends beyond the digital realm.
And finally, to truly be a Zen-Z, we must hold on with hope for better days.
We must hold on, despite. We must hold on, in spite. :)
Here’s what Rabindranath Tagore said about Hope in one of my favourite short stories by him, The Postmaster.
That’s the blog for the month, dear reader.
See you on the 10th of next month!
This blog is dedicated to my Dad, a man of principle and finance, who taught me to hope, to pray at the end of both good days & bad, to build a fulfilling life offline, and to always LOL with LOL (laugh out loud with lots of love).
Love you, Daddy! ❤
