Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.

[Image taken by the author]
We killed our generation.
We were trying to protect our children.
It is partly out of guilt because we went crazy chasing the dream. We were so materialistic!
We wanted the house, the car, the comfort, the money, and all. And that was like a drug to us: the money is good and if you work hard, you get the money.
Then, we worked not only for our survival and sustenance, but we were even working to impress our neighbours.

[source: The Simpsons S02E06, “Dead Putting Society” on Giphy]
Therefore, we didn’t have enough time to spend with our kids.
“Now that is our biggest sin. We raise kids, we money-coddle them, AND we don’t spend time with them. That’s a recipe for disaster.”
The recipe for us doing well now was going through the hard work of the past.
We were suffering, but we didn’t know that suffering was essential for survival. It made us more resilient. The current generation is now struggling with that.
In addition to that, we must also recognise the fact that times are harder now.
There are a lot more people now, and that has made competition rife.
Everyone has an equal opportunity to educate themselves, and that’s a good thing, but because of the democratisation of education, a lot more people are entering the job market. However, there aren’t enough jobs on the market!

[source: Ruslan Burlaka on Pexels]
How The New Gen Respond To Hardship
It’s a surprise to me that the new generation gets burnt out.
But thing is, people don’t quit jobs; they quit bosses.
The strawberry generation is easily bruised because they witness injustice: inequality, bigotry, racism, and various forms of harassment, and they think to themselves, “I want to walk away from this sh*t man.”
As a result, they look for another job and believe it is the one, but it is not. It’s almost always your immediate boss that makes you pissed off.
You can love your job, but it’s your bosses that make you quit.

[Image taken by the author]
Do you know anyone with an interesting story to share? Drop us an email at hello@inreallife.my and we may feature the story.
For more stories like this, read:
“If You Want Kids, Maybe Think Twice” – Here’s Why People Should Not Be Forced Into Being A Parent
You might also like
More from Real People
How CNY Gambling Cost Me RM12,000 (And Maybe My Marriage)
This anonymous submission is about a M'sian man who bitterly regrets giving in to his gambling habit over Chinese New …
M’sian Food Delivery Rider’s Quick Thinking Saves Elderly Man From Silent Heart Attack
This story is about a heroic M’sian food delivery rider whose quick thinking saved an elderly man from a silent …
“I Don’t Trust M’sian Doctors Anymore,” Shares Man Who Lost Wife and Baby
This story is about a man who says he now distrusts the M’sian medical system after his wife tragically passed …