GenZ: the worst creatures of humankind?

[Note: This isn’t really about age. It’s more about a mindset that’s popping up more and more these days.]

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and today I just have to share it. There’s something really upsetting about the mindset I keep seeing around me — on social media, at college (past days), and even among friends or people around me.

Everywhere you look, you find people who feel entitled to everything without doing any hard work. They see someone else’s success and quickly say things like “They just got lucky” or “They must have it easy.” They always have an excuse ready for why they didn’t go after an opportunity.

What frustrates me the most is the same pattern repeating itself. Someone posts about their success — maybe they bought a new house, landed a promotion, or started their own business. Instead of getting real congratulations, there are comments that subtly cut down the achievement: “Must be nice to have wealthy parents,” “They probably had connections,” or “They got lucky with that investment.”

These folks want to be CEOs by the age of 25 but aren’t willing to put in the extra time to learn and grow. They want to be social media stars without having done anything to earn it. They dream of success but act like basic work expectations are unfair. Any small inconvenience is labeled as trauma, and every simple requirement feels like oppression.

The sense of entitlement is strong. They’ll spend ages crafting the perfect social media post about how unfair the world is but won’t take half an hour to pick up a new skill. They’ll post long threads about how a 40-hour workweek is exploitation, yet they can binge-watch a whole Netflix series in one go. They seek mentorship but refuse to learn, want respect but aren’t ready to earn it.

What bothers me most is the complete lack of empathy. Everything has to be about them. If someone shares good news, they make it about their own struggles. If someone celebrates an achievement, they downplay it. If someone offers advice, they dismiss it as a “privileged perspective.”

But here’s the thing — and I say this with genuine concern — this mindset is self-destructive. While they’re busy making excuses and dismissing others’ achievements, they’re missing out on their own potential for growth. While they’re waiting for the perfect opportunity, others are creating their own. While they’re complaining about the system, others are figuring out how to work within it or change it.

I see so much potential being wasted. So many talented people trapped in a cycle of excuses and self-sabotage. The same energy they spend on crafting excuses could be spent on crafting their future. The time they invest in jealousy could be invested in growth.

The most heartbreaking thing? Many of these individuals truly have abilities. They possess real skills and a lot of promise. However, they are trapped in a mindset that expects everything instantly and feels entitled, making it hard for them to appreciate the importance of gradual growth, learning from setbacks, and putting in the effort.

Life has never been fair, and it likely never will be. Sure, some people have it easier, and others stumble into fortunate situations. But using that as a reason not even to give it a shot? That’s a choice — a choice that ultimately harms you.

We must remember that achieving real and lasting success requires time, dedication, and resilience. Above all, it demands the humility to learn from others and the kindness to rejoice in their accomplishments while we strive for our own.

If you see yourself in this, know that it’s never too late to make a change. Start with something small. Focus on one goal and work on it steadily. Avoid comparing your starting point to someone else’s middle. Take joy in other people’s achievements without belittling them. Realize that someone else’s success doesn’t take away from your own possibilities.

In the end, the only one you’re truly competing against is yourself. Wouldn’t you prefer to be remembered as someone who encourages others while climbing rather than as someone who tries to drag others down to feel better about not moving up at all?

The choice, as always, is yours.

P.S. If you’re offended by this post, if you’re feeling attacked, if your first instinct is to comment “who hurt you?” — congratulations, you’re exactly who I’m talking about. Now excuse me while I go scream into my pillow and question everything about our society’s future.