Can't Even

Introduction

In her book "Can't Even," Anne Helen Petersen takes a deep dive into the phenomenon of millennial burnout. Far from the stereotypical portrayal of millennials as lazy, entitled, and whiny, Petersen argues that this generation is actually dealing with a unique set of challenges that have led to widespread exhaustion and disillusionment.

The book explores various aspects of millennial life, from childhood experiences to the modern workplace, and examines how these factors have contributed to a generation that feels constantly overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the demands of adult life. Petersen's work is a thoughtful and empathetic look at the struggles faced by millennials, offering insights into why so many young adults feel burned out and what societal changes might be necessary to address this issue.

The Roots of Millennial Burnout

Micromanaged Childhoods

One of the key factors contributing to millennial burnout can be traced back to childhood experiences. Unlike previous generations who often enjoyed more freedom and unstructured time, millennials grew up in an era of increased parental supervision and structured activities.

This shift in parenting style was driven by several factors:

1. Rising income inequality: As the gap between rich and poor widened, parents became increasingly anxious about their children's future prospects. This led to a more competitive approach to childhood, with a focus on achievement and skill-building rather than play and relaxation.

2. Emphasis on accomplishment: Childhood activities became less about enjoyment and more about personal improvement. Instead of casual play, kids were enrolled in organized sports, music lessons, and other structured activities aimed at building skills and resumes.

3. "Stranger danger": Media coverage of child abductions in the 1980s led to heightened parental fears, resulting in less freedom for children to explore and play independently.

The consequences of these micromanaged childhoods are now evident in adult millennials:

• A single-minded focus on productivity and self-improvement
• Difficulty with "adulting" and basic self-reliance
• A constant need for external validation and direction

These traits, ingrained from childhood, have set the stage for burnout in adulthood as millennials struggle to meet impossibly high standards and feel ill-equipped to handle the challenges of independent living.

The College Conundrum

For many millennials, the path to adulthood led through higher education. Encouraged by parents, teachers, and society at large, millennials flocked to colleges and universities in record numbers, believing that a degree was the key to professional success and financial stability.

However, the reality of college education for millennials has often fallen short of expectations:

1. Degree inflation: With more people obtaining college degrees, the value of a bachelor's degree has diminished. Employers now often require advanced degrees for positions that previously required only a bachelor's.

2. Mounting debt: The cost of higher education has skyrocketed, leaving many millennials burdened with significant student loan debt.

3. Mismatch between education and job market: Many graduates find that their degrees don't align well with available job opportunities, leading to underemployment or unemployment.

4. Overemphasis on prestigious institutions: As degrees became more common, employers began to place more weight on the reputation of the college attended, disadvantaging those who couldn't afford or gain admission to elite schools.

The college experience has had several unintended consequences for millennials:

• A belief that hard work always leads to success, setting unrealistic expectations for the job market
• A tendency to pursue additional degrees in hopes of gaining an edge, often incurring more debt
• A sense of disillusionment when the promised benefits of higher education fail to materialize

These factors have contributed to the burnout experienced by many millennials, who feel they've done everything "right" but still struggle to achieve financial stability and career success.

The Modern Workplace and Millennial Burnout

The Myth of the "Dream Job"

One of the most pervasive ideas that has shaped millennial attitudes toward work is the concept of finding one's "passion" or "dream job." This notion, which suggests that work should be not just a means of earning a living but a source of personal fulfillment and identity, has had significant consequences for how millennials approach their careers.

The problems with the "dream job" mentality include:

1. Increased competition: Desirable jobs in fields like journalism, the arts, or academia attract many applicants, allowing employers to offer lower wages and fewer benefits.

2. Exploitation: Employers can take advantage of workers' passion by expecting long hours and extra effort without appropriate compensation.

3. Unrealistic expectations: The idea that work should be constantly fulfilling and exciting can lead to disappointment and frequent job-hopping.

4. Devaluation of other types of work: Jobs that aren't seen as "passionate" pursuits may be unfairly stigmatized, even if they offer better pay and stability.

The emphasis on finding passion in work has led many millennials to:

• Accept poor working conditions or low pay in pursuit of their dream career
• Feel guilty or inadequate if they don't love their job
• Struggle with work-life balance as they pour excessive time and energy into their careers

As millennials grapple with burnout, many are beginning to question the wisdom of prioritizing passion over practicality in their career choices.

The Rise of Precarious Work

Another significant factor contributing to millennial burnout is the increasing prevalence of precarious and irregular work arrangements. The traditional model of stable, long-term employment with benefits has given way to a more fluid and uncertain job market characterized by:

1. The gig economy: Short-term, contract-based work with little job security or benefits
2. Freelancing and self-employment: Often chosen out of necessity rather than preference
3. Part-time and temporary positions: Used by employers to avoid providing benefits and job security

This shift toward precarious work has its roots in earlier decades:

• The use of temporary workers (like "Kelly Girls") in the 1970s showed employers the benefits of flexible labor
• Political changes in the 1980s and 1990s weakened union protections
• Companies began outsourcing work to reduce costs and increase flexibility

The consequences of this trend for millennials include:

• Lack of job security and predictable income
• Limited access to benefits like health insurance and retirement plans
• Difficulty planning for the future or making major life decisions
• Constant stress and anxiety about finding and maintaining work

The precarious nature of modern work has created a new class of workers, often referred to as the "precariat," who lack the stability and security that previous generations enjoyed. This uncertainty is a major contributor to millennial burnout, as young adults struggle to build stable lives and careers in an increasingly unpredictable job market.

The Always-On Work Culture

The modern workplace, particularly in white-collar professions, has evolved to blur the lines between work and personal life. This "always-on" culture is characterized by:

1. Extended work hours: Many employees regularly work well beyond the traditional 9-to-5 schedule.
2. Constant connectivity: Smartphones and other technology make it possible (and often expected) to be reachable at all times.
3. Work-life integration: Rather than a clear separation between work and personal time, the two are increasingly intertwined.

Several factors have contributed to this shift:

• Technology that enables remote work and constant communication
• Increased global competition and pressure for productivity
• Company perks that encourage longer hours (e.g., free meals, on-site amenities)

The impact of this always-on culture on millennials is significant:

• Difficulty disconnecting from work and truly relaxing
• Increased stress and anxiety related to work responsibilities
• Neglect of personal relationships and self-care
• A sense of guilt when not working or being productive

While some industries (like investment banking) have long been known for demanding long hours, the always-on culture has spread to many other sectors. Unlike highly paid bankers who may see a financial benefit from their extra hours, most millennials are simply expected to be available and productive around the clock without additional compensation.

This constant pressure to be "on" and productive is a major contributor to burnout, as millennials struggle to find balance and time for rest and recovery in their lives.

Technology and Millennial Burnout

The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media

Social media platforms have become an integral part of millennial life, offering both benefits and drawbacks. While these platforms promise to keep people connected, their impact on mental health and well-being is increasingly problematic.

The evolution of social media use among millennials:

1. Initial adoption: Platforms like Facebook offered new ways to stay in touch with friends and family.
2. Shift to visual platforms: Instagram gained popularity, focusing on sharing curated images of people's lives.
3. Comparison culture: Social media became a place to showcase experiences and lifestyles, often leading to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.

The negative impacts of social media on millennials include:

• Increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, despite being "connected"
• Pressure to present a perfect image of one's life online
• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and constant comparison to others
• Addiction-like behaviors, with difficulty disconnecting from devices

While social media can have positive aspects, such as maintaining long-distance relationships or finding communities of like-minded individuals, its overall effect on millennial well-being has been largely detrimental. The constant stream of curated content from others' lives can leave millennials feeling that they're falling short, contributing to feelings of burnout and inadequacy.

Information Overload and Digital Fatigue

In addition to social media, millennials are constantly bombarded with information from various digital sources. This information overload, particularly when it comes to news and current events, can be overwhelming and contribute to burnout.

Factors contributing to digital fatigue:

1. 24/7 news cycle: Constant updates on world events, often focusing on negative or alarming stories
2. Multiple platforms: News and information come from various sources, including social media, news apps, and websites
3. Push notifications: Alerts on smartphones and other devices create a sense of urgency around staying informed

The impact of this constant influx of information on millennials:

• Increased anxiety and stress about world events
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating due to frequent interruptions
• Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information
• A sense of powerlessness in the face of global issues

While staying informed about current events is important, the constant exposure to news – particularly negative news – can be emotionally draining. Millennials often feel a sense of obligation to stay up-to-date on world issues, but this can come at the cost of their mental health and contribute to overall burnout.

The Cumulative Effect of Millennial Challenges

The various factors discussed – from childhood experiences to workplace pressures to technological overload – have combined to create a perfect storm of stress and exhaustion for many millennials. This generation faces a unique set of challenges that have contributed to widespread burnout:

1. Financial instability: Student debt, rising living costs, and precarious employment make it difficult for millennials to achieve financial security.

2. Delayed life milestones: Many millennials are putting off traditional markers of adulthood like homeownership, marriage, and having children due to financial constraints.

3. Pressure to succeed: The emphasis on achievement and self-improvement that began in childhood continues into adulthood, creating unrealistic expectations.

4. Work-life imbalance: The always-on work culture makes it challenging for millennials to find time for rest, relationships, and personal pursuits.

5. Information overload: Constant connectivity and exposure to news and social media contribute to stress and anxiety.

6. Lack of stability: Precarious work arrangements and economic uncertainty make it difficult for millennials to plan for the future.

7. Health concerns: The stress of these various factors can lead to physical and mental health issues, further exacerbating burnout.

The cumulative effect of these challenges is a generation that often feels overwhelmed, exhausted, and unable to meet the demands of adult life. Millennial burnout is not a result of laziness or entitlement, but rather a rational response to the unique circumstances this generation faces.

Moving Forward: Addressing Millennial Burnout

While the challenges facing millennials are significant, there are potential solutions and coping strategies that can help address burnout:

1. Redefining success: Moving away from the idea that passion and work must be synonymous, and recognizing the value of work-life balance.

2. Policy changes: Addressing issues like student debt, healthcare access, and worker protections to provide more stability for young adults.

3. Workplace reform: Encouraging employers to offer better benefits, more flexible work arrangements, and clearer boundaries between work and personal time.

4. Digital detox: Developing healthier relationships with technology and social media, including setting boundaries and taking breaks.

5. Community building: Fostering real-world connections and support systems to combat isolation and provide mutual aid.

6. Self-care and mental health awareness: Prioritizing rest, relaxation, and mental health support to combat burnout.

7. Financial education: Providing better resources and education on personal finance to help millennials navigate economic challenges.

Addressing millennial burnout will require both individual efforts and broader societal changes. By recognizing the legitimate struggles faced by this generation and working to create more supportive systems, it may be possible to alleviate some of the pressures contributing to burnout.

Conclusion

Anne Helen Petersen's "Can't Even" offers a comprehensive and empathetic look at the phenomenon of millennial burnout. By examining the various factors that have shaped this generation's experiences – from childhood through to the modern workplace – Petersen challenges the stereotypes often applied to millennials and presents a more nuanced understanding of their struggles.

The book highlights how societal changes, economic factors, and technological advancements have combined to create a uniquely challenging environment for young adults. From the pressure to find passion in work to the precarious nature of modern employment, millennials face a host of obstacles in their quest for stability and fulfillment.

Ultimately, "Can't Even" serves as both an explanation of millennial burnout and a call to action. By understanding the root causes of this generational exhaustion, we can begin to address the systemic issues that contribute to it. Whether through policy changes, workplace reforms, or shifts in cultural attitudes, there are opportunities to create a more supportive and sustainable environment for millennials and future generations.

The book reminds us that millennial burnout is not an individual failing, but a collective problem that requires collective solutions. As we move forward, it's crucial to recognize the legitimate challenges faced by this generation and work towards creating a world where success and well-being are not mutually exclusive. Only then can we hope to alleviate the burnout that has become so prevalent among millennials and build a more balanced and fulfilling future for all.