There are three main things that affect our emotions:
Environment is a big one, since our moods directly correspond with where we are at and our basic sensory concepts.
Events obviously have a lot to do with our mental states, as they typically reflect how we react and interact with the circumstances of our lives.
Well, I want to talk about people. How do people fit into what we’re feeling either positively or (gasp) negatively?
Depression is the topic at hand here, and I believe the onset of negative emotions in relation to people is typically chalked up to very basic suspects. Things like failed relationships and a troubled family life are usually discussed.
I want to go deeper, though! I want to address something I think a lot of new professionals like me go through once college is over and the next chapter of life takes hold. I don’t think I need to underscore how intense of a transition that can be, after all, so just bear with me.
I was a bit of an extracurricular nerd back when I was a sophomore in college. I remember being in a psychology lecture held late at night for no extra credit. It was just a special speaker talking about developmental psychology, and I’ll never forget her key anecdote that addressed the first time she went through depression.
The basic story is that a shift in her environment, moving away after college with her husband, caused her to experience a gradual rise in depression without her even realizing it. It was almost a year before she even recognized she was depressed.
Now, this example involves environment (in this case, a new one), an event (moving), and people (losing close relationships). These factors and more led to her becoming, well unhappy with her life. She talked about how she couldn’t even describe what was bothering her, but it negatively affected many aspects of her life. She couldn’t sleep well, eat right, or even find work rewarding.
I say all this because I’ve noticed to a degree that this is very common, not only because it has in fact happened to me, but also because I see it in the lives of friends I know all over the country. Obviously, the severity is varied, but this problem seems to resonate with a lot of postgrad millennials (I would love to do a study on this by the way).
We can analyze all day about why millennials are going through this. Some great theories have to do with how collective mentality is far more prominent within our demographic compared to more individualistic generations before us. That would explain why social pressures and expectations may impact us more than they probably should.
Of course, my boss would say it’s because the concept of actually working and facing tangible problems is something our generation wasn’t prepared well enough for. Few can argue with me that millennials are lazy. While we may have fantastic, creative minds, a lot of us have more trouble actually executing the work.
I certainly don’t have any concrete answers, but I do have my own experiences to call on, and I am quickly becoming more aware of what societal mood changer affects me the most. People.
One of my mentors left me with this notion many years ago: “Show me who your friends are, and I’ll either tell you who you are are or who you are going to be.”
I’ll never admit it to him, but I’ve shaped almost every friendship according to this credence ever since he first said this to me. And it rings true. The people we surround ourselves with have a lot more to do with our emotions and mental states than we sometimes realize.
This has definitely been a beneficial concept to live by in the sense that I’ve surrounded myself with good people with fantastic ambitions and morals, but my emotional state has also been greatly impacted by these people over this past year since becoming a new professional.
I’m not saying my friends make me depressed or anything like that (not all of them at least), but I have found incredible data relating to my most productive, positive phases in life.
Surprisingly, the best times I’ve had this past year where I was the most driven, focused, and mentally healthy were times when I was investing my emotional energy into close relationships, especially family.
Of course, my most lethargic and scattered phases have been times when my life has basically been an episode of Dawson’s Creek.
Without getting too personal here, I’ll conclude what seems to work for me when wrestling with these problems. If you’re not sharing your life with people and allowing others to affect your mental being positively, then you’re only letting yourself take in the negative.
It’s not the deepest statement in the world, but let’s hope that at least got you thinking.
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well, this is only my opinion but I think depression is actually a calling for oneself,ones spirit to search for something to address it, fix it or heal it. Some of us vent about it in group or with family & friends, while others of us medicate it with priscriptions, still others surpress it with alcohol & drugs, & yet others use a form of addiction to erase it. But what if I told you that its your spirit, your human being inside of you calling out to something greater. To experience pain rom empty promises, failures, forces all of us to cling to safety, to cling to comfort but what if I told you that your spirit has realized an awareness in which our human eyes cannot see but your spirit has become aware from empathy, your senses that you are meant to live for a living God which is found in every good deed & miracle & this living God’s name is Jesus Christ. im just an Arthur, “LondenBerg by Lord Biron,”
Great thoughts Arthur, and I agree to a point. I think what you’re getting at has a lot more to do with general purpose and how a void life can beg depression, even in the medical sense. What I’m getting at is more of a depression that is being caused by the people around us, not necessarily what we think about ourselves.
So this post actually kinda hits on a point that I’ve been observing for the past…eh, sixish years? I was born in the latter part of the “millennial generation” time period, and I feel like this is as good a place as any to sort of bring this up. Over the past few years, people close to my age–who are older than me–and I have been noticing a degradation of sorts of people born….say…..in the late 90’s and so on. Observations such as increased apathy and integration…and a lack of people skills, or drive. Something I think can be attributed to parents and increased technology (the big, stereotypical reason. Pft.). It’s just interesting and somewhat depressing to me. Which brings me to the link I found between the word vomit I just spewed and your article. I think another reason at least a portion of millennials are depressed is because they’re observing the increased apathy and lack of quality morals or even common sense in the younger people and find it to be genuinely upsetting because they realize that this is our future and have the common sense and empathy to care about and see this….Just thought I’d add my two cents. Well…really, I could go on. So let’s call this my half a cent xP
Yes that is interesting and can even be a chicken/egg scenario. In other words, are younger millennials apathetic because their older counterparts are depressed? Or are older millennials depressed because their younger counterparts are apathetic?
I stumbled upon this thought-provoking blog post, and it really resonated with me. The author brilliantly captured the challenges our generation faces, shedding light on the complex factors contributing to our collective sense of unease.
One aspect that struck me is the importance of mental health awareness. In the midst of these struggles, seeking support can be crucial. I recently came across a resource that offers online counseling, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. Given the unique challenges they often face, having a space for understanding and guidance can be immensely beneficial.
For anyone interested, check out link: https://calmerry.com/try-lgbt-counseling/
It’s a valuable resource that aligns with the conversation here, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being and providing support in navigating life’s uncertainties.
Thanks for sparking this dialogue, and let’s continue to share resources that can make a positive impact on our collective mental health journey.
This cartoon touched me, especially the parting with the elephant. I agree about the millinnials, I always think about why I am not as hardworking as my parents). I think the thing is that their generation used to take responsibility for themselves. Fortunately, I avoided by depression, there is only neuroticism, but you can live quite well with it. Some friends had depression, someone was captured by bad habits. But you can get out of this, a friend turned to Spravato and his life began to improve.
Depression in our generation is fueled by social pressures, unrealistic beauty standards, and constant comparison on social media. Many turn to treatments like Juvederm in Frisco to enhance their appearance, hoping for confidence boosts. While self-care is important, true happiness comes from self-acceptance and mental well-being. Let’s prioritize inner growth over external validation!
It feels like depression and anxiety have become almost a defining part of our generation’s experience. Many of us face constant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and struggle to find joy in things we used to love. There are a lot of reasons why this might be happening https://www.mindinmotionpsych.com/group-therapy/ —from the pressures of social media and economic uncertainty to the fast pace of life and a lack of real connection. These challenges don’t just come and go; they affect our daily lives and overall well-being in deep ways. Understanding this helps us realize that these feelings are real and valid—and that seeking support is crucial for finding hope again.
It feels like depression and anxiety have become almost a defining part of our generation’s experience. Many of us face constant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and struggle to find joy in things we used to love. There are a lot of reasons why this might be happening https://www.mindinmotionpsych.com/group-therapy/ —from the pressures of social media and economic uncertainty to the fast pace of life and a lack of real connection. These challenges don’t just come and go; they affect our daily lives and overall well-being in deep ways. Understanding this helps us realize that these feelings are real and valid—and that seeking support is crucial for finding hope again.
I think our health care is involved in all of this
Healthcare is important because it protects lives, prevents diseases, and promotes overall well-being. Access to quality medical care helps people live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
Mental health issues among younger generations are often linked to overwhelming societal pressures, a lack of real-life connection, and the stress of navigating a fast-paced world. Access to supportive tools, especially digital ones, can make a real difference. A study of healthcare software development companies, featured in https://limeup.io/blog/healthcare-software-development-companies/ shows how technology is being used to create more accessible mental health solutions — something that is becoming increasingly important as more people struggle with emotional and psychological issues.
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Our generation is often depressed because we face a mix of pressures older generations didn’t — constant social‑media comparison, overwhelming academic and career expectations, economic uncertainty, and a shrinking sense of community and belonging. More time on screens, less real‑life connection and poor work/life balance makes it easy to feel anxious, alone, or hopeless.
I believe using platforms like liferun (https://www.liferun.com/ can help us connect and share real stories — sometimes all we need is a community to remind us that we’re not alone.
They say that sun and sea are good factors to beat fatigue and burning out. Well, it is a lie! I booked an expensive trip to Dubai for nearly a year, just to get back to my good old self after a turbulent divorce. So what? I felt exhausted, notwithstanding my daily beach routine! Decided to write because the topic hit deeper than expected, ah. The fatigue was so bad that after lunch my brain just shut down, sleep was fragmented, workouts faded out. I saw peptide therapy in Dubai offering and enrolled immediately. This website explains everything in plain language: goals, protocol, monitoring, no mysticism. I filled out the questionnaire, had an online consult, and they adjusted a plan for sleep and recovery. A couple of weeks later my sleep became steadier, mornings stopped feeling like staring at the ceiling, oof. In 2025 I finally stopped drowning myself in coffee. No miracles promised, just clear explanations of what and why. Do you actually track how you sleep and recover, or just run on autopilot?
Exploring why our generation is experiencing higher rates of depression highlights the importance of mental health and self-care. Prioritizing personal well-being can boost confidence and self-esteem, and aesthetic treatments like Dermal Fillers Mcallen can be a part of a holistic approach to feeling and looking your best.
Ammazing!
A lot of what the article mentions resonates. Constant comparison, financial pressure, and uncertainty can quietly drain people over time. I’ve noticed that small routines help more than we expect, even simple things like planning a cheap late-night meal with friends or family. Oddly enough, checking menus and prices ahead of time can remove tiny bits of stress too. I recently used this guide to see affordable options https://jackintheboxmenu.net/ little conveniences sometimes make everyday life feel a bit lighter.