Navigating Media Exhaustion: A game of dominoes

Tired is the day when you wake up and struggle to organize your thoughts, feeling fatigued. It's the day when you're moving through tasks in a constant haze, and even coffee fails to revitalize you, leaving others to perceive you as being in a gloomy mood. With droopy eyes, you navigate through the day in autopilot mode, accompanied by the persistent thought: 'I need to make it to the end of the day.' All this just so you can finally hit the pillow and drift into a much-needed sleep. These days occur occasionally because we all work hard, and yes, all of us do.

Exhaustion, especially cultural exhaustion, often accompanies a profound sense of dread. The mind isn't simply drifting into the comfort of envisioning the end of the day, lying in bed. Rather, it experiences a sense of 'lateness' as described by Anna Katharina Schaffner in her book Exhaustion. This cultural phenomenon of exhaustion frequently emerges from a specific period in history marked by notable events linked to excessive indulgence, resulting in sentiments associated with neglect or delinquency.

As a member of Generation Z, or now termed as a Zillennial, I have found myself in numerous conversations falling into the 'oh my god, I can't believe this just happened' category. Leaving countless instances where my peers and I have delved into emotionally heavy life events that have significantly influenced our overall well-being.

Once the initial spark ignites conversations about trauma, whether from the broader world or our own lives, it often doesn't seep out slowly but instead explodes like a volcano of Pompeii-level magnitude. It's apparent that Generation Z, millennials, and subsequent generations feel like they've drawn the short straw in life. Not just that we've "lost the lottery" (which almost trivializes the depth of their experiences) but that we bear the weight of an overwhelming sense of foreboding not only from generational trauma but also from the government and the collective energy of society. These are the conversations that often lead to that collective state of exhaustion, particularly when discussions veer toward the future state of the world and our lives.

With the persistent turmoil surrounding us and the ongoing fatigue that accompanies thoughts of the future, we, as a generation, have not only recognized the necessity for therapy but have also embraced the desire for it. Emma Stone's narration in Netflix's 'The Mind, Explained' (S1, E4) delves into anxiety disorders and the stigmas associated with them. The show presents a Harris Poll reflecting the decline in the stigma surrounding mental health, especially among the younger generation.

It indicates that 60% of Gen Z believes seeking help is a sign of strength, while only 35% of older generations (26 and up) share this belief.

Speaking on behalf of Gen Z and younger generations, we have come to understand, through observing our parents and older generations, that the consequences of not discussing or seeking help for mental health issues only lead to a domino effect. Why would we want to repeat the same mistakes when we see solutions at hand? By engaging in more open conversations, we are actively striving to change the stigma surrounding mental health; we are striving to be better. Collective beliefs are taking shape, as explained by Schauffner's concept of 'lateness' stemming from a significant array of historical events. Engaging in difficult yet cathartic conversations, which may be perceived as mere complaints, is a product of dissatisfaction born from careful analysis.

Picture yourself:

You are promised a high reward if you attempt to teach a young child, let's say at the age of five, how to line up 100 dominoes with no time limit. The child is informed that completing the task will earn them a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You cannot touch the dominoes or the child and must stand at least a couple of feet away. Since the child loves playing with dominoes and knows how to set them up, you feel confident about the possibility of getting rewarded. 100 dominoes seem like a reasonable challenge, and with the child's familiarity with the task and your promised incentive, you are filled with hope.

After a few minutes, the kid reaches a point where about 20 dominoes are lined up but accidentally knocks one over, causing the entire line to collapse. Each time this happens, you feel a surge of hope followed by immediate disappointment. The child, being a child, is unaware of your growing annoyance and continues to enjoy the game, laughing and smiling after each mishap.

Despite your best efforts, you reach a point of overwhelming frustration and eventually decide to call off the game. The promised reward no longer holds significance as you feel exhausted and thoroughly disheartened. Meanwhile, the child happily receives the ice cream, relishing every bite while you watch, feeling emotionally drained and defeated, convinced that you did everything you could.

These moments of frustration transforming into exhaustion are akin to observing the older generations and government perpetually making the same errors, leaving one at a loss for where to begin. Their reluctance to embrace actual change, adhering to traditions, and contentment with the status quo perpetuates a cycle of repeated mistakes. They continue to knock over the dominoes without consideration for the consequences, as these issues do not significantly affect them. Whether it's healthcare, the education system, the work environment, discrimination, women's rights, climate change, religious freedom, immigration, or mental health, they seem content with their metaphorical vanilla ice cream. They are indifferent to whether we, the next generation, receive any rewards, as they hold the reins of control.

In simple terms, we comprehend the rewards of striving to bring about change; hence, we persist in our efforts. However, there comes a point where exhaustion takes precedence, and the fervor for attaining the reward wanes. As time passes without substantial change, the envisioned reward seems increasingly out of reach. Efforts and hope gradually diminish, leading us to operate on autopilot and carry out tasks mechanically without the same fervor.

Nevertheless, Generation Z persists in taking up the challenge of finding ways to help the child stack the dominoes, striving to ensure that operating on autopilot doesn't become a permanent state, acknowledging the existence of difficult days without prematurely abandoning the task at hand. It's almost as if this generation draws strength from the struggles, opposition, and unfavorable opinions they encounter. A potent determination exists not to let exhaustion prevail, to vocalize their empowering beliefs, and to strive for the rewards they envision ultimately.

The want is what makes certain people peeved. The media, for instance, frequently depicts us using words like 'sensitive,' 'emotional,' 'angry,' and 'dramatic' (If an outsider were observing the scenario with the child and the dominoes, witnessing your frustration at the child's inability to complete the task, they might use those same words to describe your reaction). These terms are often highlighted in bold, enlarged, and presented in intimidating black fonts, accompanied by negative narratives, as the headlines proceed to cite statistics on how we are purportedly damaging the economy.

“Are Gen Z more emotional?” -The Healthy Journal

“Are Gen Z'ers Too in Touch With Their Feelings?” - Psychology Today

“A new look at how turmoil is defining the lives and politics of Generation Z” -NPR

“Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation” - Time Magazine

Here lies the phenomenon that startles many: we embody all those words, acknowledging their validity, but without the need for the added negative context. From our perspective, and that of many of my peers, it boils down to being simply tired of all the challenges. Yes, we allow ourselves to feel exactly how we want, exhibiting considerable courage in the realm of emotions.

There have been numerous moments where, as a member of this generation, I couldn't be prouder, even though these moments were often born out of tragic circumstances. I believe that Gen Z, Millennials, and those following us find it somewhat amusing when the latest news headlines proclaim us as the source of problems. It's humorous that we are effecting change that doesn't solely feed into the pockets of capitalism or prioritize burying our emotions deep down in a dark, bottomless pit, never to be addressed again.

It's a peculiar mix of emotions, a blend of pride in belonging to an emotionally conscious generation yet feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges ahead. Despite recognizing the urgent need for various changes, we often feel disheartened by the apparent inaccessibility of these goals. Altering a system that isn't built for change poses a significant obstacle, leading to days when we feel stuck in an exhausting autopilot mode. However, when faced with adversity, we remain determined to guide the child in stacking those dominoes.

Take women's rights as an illustration. Ruth Bader Ginsburg and numerous women in the 1970s fought relentlessly to end sex and gender discrimination. The landmark 1973 ruling of Roe Vs. Wade was enacted, only to be stripped away in 2022 as if it were inconsequential. The government's actions once again reinforced the message that we are inconsequential, that the patriarchal stronghold of white males remained dominant, forcefully suppressing our voices solely for the sake of maintaining control. They return home to enjoy their metaphorical ice cream reward, propelled by their deep-seated insecurities, manifesting as anger and shame. Fearing the changes they cannot control, they shamelessly project their need for dominance onto us.

With more men and individuals taking to the streets to advocate for women's rights, there should be a surge of pride. The younger generation exudes confidence, and this very confidence is what many fear the most. Their melting ice cream represents their diminishing hold on power, leaving them increasingly unsettled.

As the younger generations continue to mature, I observe our persistent efforts across various domains, fueled by a profound desire for transformative change. Much of this vigor emanates from the ongoing shift in societal perceptions regarding mental health. Nevertheless, we find ourselves still entangled within a societal structure built upon traditional values and a palpable fear of change, perpetuating our victimization by the system.

What occurs when you are repeatedly bullied and knocked down time and time again? You become utterly exhausted.

I find it crucial to highlight the prevalent aspects of our contemporary world, where it is perfectly natural to feel worn down by the weight of tradition, government, and other external factors, which sluggishly navigate the path toward change. It is acceptable to feel a tinge of frustration and the need for personal space, whether at work, with family, or among friends, especially when the constant pressures from our antagonists begin to take a toll on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. Sitting at your desk, attempting to concentrate on work after being confronted with yet another disheartening historical event, should not be perceived as the norm. It is draining. Battling and disregarding a bully's provocation is always challenging, particularly when they relentlessly seek attention.

However, a clear distinction exists between advocating for causes, experiencing a day of annoyance, and enduring persistent exhaustion derived from constant confrontations.

The older generations, the media, and even many among us often cite our shared experience of growing up with social media and its omnipresence in our daily lives as the primary cause of our unbecoming behavior. Countless articles, studies, and a flood of commentary point to social media as the catalyst for fostering self-centeredness and envy and serving as our collective scapegoat for reality. Undeniably, these claims hold merit to a large extent, as these are precisely the aspects that necessitate change.

However, let us consider the context: we were the first generation to come of age in the era of social media. It remains a relatively new phenomenon. Both millennials and Generation Z pioneered incorporating it into our lives, while the adults around us were also navigating unfamiliar territory. No one truly comprehended its potential impact, including the creators who introduced it.

Social media has undeniably contributed to some of our less desirable behavioral tendencies, exacerbating mental health issues and giving rise to a multitude of problems, including feelings of envy and the tendency to use it as an escape from our troubles. We were the guinea pigs of its inception, our parents were the adults grappling with its impact, and the creators themselves were navigating uncharted territory.

The reality is that we have grown weary from the continuous learning curve, yet we persist, and in doing so, we are evolving for the better. We understand that social media applications can serve as valuable tools. Let us approach the idea of their use realistically, acknowledging that most of us are unlikely to abandon these apps entirely and that new ones will inevitably emerge. Regardless, we are now laying the groundwork for utilizing these tools, recognizing the importance of taking breaks for our mental well-being, as evidenced by the introduction of features such as Apple's screen time limitation function in 2018.

We comprehend that the challenges within our societies cannot be resolved instantly. We are shaped by a blend of longstanding and contemporary traditions that often leave us exhausted, leading to moments where our behavior might not be our best.

Yet, we are in a constant state of learning, striving to transform our mindset from that of an unkind perspective to one rooted in compassion.

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