Podcast Proposal: Growing Up Millennial

It isn't easy being a millennial. Today, one is described as a millennial if he or she is born between the years of if he or she is 1981 and 1997. Recently, millennials have become negatively stereotyped. To name a few, millennials are notorious for being addicted to any and all forms of gadgets and screens; millennials are narcissists; millennials are over-medicated; millennials crave recognition; millennials are shallow; millennials are indecisive; millennials are promiscuous; millennials are losing religion; millennials are too sensitive, etc. (Generalized millennial labels were taken from the podcast "Millennial Scumbags", which was a source of inspiration for my podcast idea.) Due to the fact that many generalizations have been placed upon this grouping of young individuals, I feel it is important to create a survival guide on "how-to-survive" growing up as a millennial. Therefore, this podcast titled "Growing Up Millennial" will be a survival guide utilizing a "how-to" talking model, providing millennials with tricks on how to overcome and navigate the hardest challenges said generation faces. To summarize, "Growing Up Millennial" will include survival tips such as "Have a Hobby", "Delete a Social Media Account", "Detach Before Bed", "It's Cool to be Independent, " etc. The "Have a Hobby" podcast will spotlight the importance of having a hobby, working a part time job, volunteering, etc. Not only is it important for millennials to not solely focus on academics as work ethic and personal growth are paramount to millennials today, but by doing such, millennials are provided with an outlet that is different than simply going to school and remaining within one group of friends. Growing up, I personally, was a competitive gymnast, and my gymnastics world became my escape -- none of my teammates went to school with me, I exercised, released energy and physical detached myself from school and/or friend related drama. The episode "Delete a Social Media Account" pinpoints the importance of spending less time in front of screens. Not only do screens take away from face-to-face interaction, but social media applications, such as Snapchat, have psychologically proven to be one of, if not, the greatest cause of exclusion, selectivity, jealousy, etc. Studies reveal that social media applications, such as Snapchat, bring about more feelings of negativity and anxiety, than feelings of positivity. "Detach Before Bed" identifies the importance of journaling or meditating before bed. Not only does a lessening of interaction with technology aid individual's REM cycles during his or her sleep, but individuals who journal or meditate prior to going to sleep feel a greater sense of daily satisfaction and overall peace and harmony. Lastly, "It's Cool to Be Independent" emphasizes the importance of being independent. Today, millennials feel they have to do everything, be everywhere and never say no to anything, but it is important to distinguish what you want to do versus what a peer or friend may want to do. And, being independent and one-of-a-kind is cool. Episode Example: "Delete a Social Media Account" Hi everyone! Welcome to "Growing Up Millennial; a weekly podcast produced by Hayley Alperin guiding millennials on how to survive “growing up millennial.” On today's podcast, I will be contemplating and discussing the importance of limiting millennials daily intake of social media. To be honest, I am not even too sure how millennials upkeep and maintain so many differing social media platforms -- I personally only have a Facebook and an Instagram and find just those two applications to be time consuming. Anyways, ever since I was introduced to the application "Snapchat", I have had a bipolar relationship with it. Originally, I was perplexed as to what the purpose was of sending a picture or a "snap" that could only last up to ten seconds. Then, after spending more time interacting with Snapchat, I began to understands it's appeal. Snapchat was fun. Over it's time, Snapchat has introduced filters, geotags, locations, trends, etc. and when an individual can understand and can manipulate the application to interact these trends (unfortunately I am not the best at Snapchat), he or she then feels accomplished and part of an elite generation connected with his or her technology. How can one not enjoy Snapchat when the filters they embed into their programming make humans look flawless? To me, and my friend group, Snapchat literally felt like "one of us." Snapchat, literally became a friend. Snapchat would be invited to a party, but certain people would not be. That is when I began to realize the darker sides not only of just Snapchat, but of social media, as well. Similarly, one entity of Snapchat which I felt was more harmful than helpful was the "best friend" tracker. Not only did this reveal who individuals were "snapping" the most, but I personally have witnessed this tracking system break up friendships and destroy healthy relationships, as well. To me, no 10-second selfie of myself in animated pig or reindeer ears is worth jeopardizing a friendship. ​ Snapchat also feels like a facade. The original beauty of Snapchat was that images and videos could only last 10 seconds so, even if one was videotaping themselves dancing at a club for ten seconds -- even if he or she had a miserable night -- to all of his or her "friends" on Snapchat, people will assume he or she had the best night ever. This causes FOMO (fear of missing out.) I can not tell you how many times I have been upset due to FOMO. Even if I was invited to a particular event, but not included in someone’s Snapchat story, I, and others similar to myself, still felt excluded. Additionally, with Snapchat, there is no sense of privacy. I know I do not want to see what breakfast all of my friends are eating, and I am sure most of my friends do not want to see what shoes I am trying on. Similarly, why do I want to see dinners, parties, pregame and events I am not invited too? What fun is that? Therefore, I can not recommend more than to delete one form of social media that has more of a negative presence in your life than a positive presence in your life. Not only will this grant you more time to work on something else you have wanted to work on -- for me, I use the time I would have been on Snapchat to keep myself informed with what was going on in today's current events and political discussions. Worse comes to worse, if you delete it and you miss it, you can always download it again, as millennials are known for desiring instant gratification after all! But I guarantee you, you will not regret it! In fact, I bet you will even be happier and more at peace with your relationship with technology and other individuals, as well! So why not give it a try? Next week on “Growing Up Millennial, I will be discussing the importance of detaching with technology before bed, don’t miss out! Talk to you all then! Good luck out there, millennials!