Millennials, a generation that has so much to look forward to

The millennial generation – representing nearly a fourth of the American population – could be the one to solidify new ideas, roles, norms, and lifestyles for longer and happier lives.

40, The Lucky Number

This generation is defined as being born between 1981 and 1996, which means the oldest millennials are turning 40 this year. According to surveys, for the majority of Millenials 40 is when middle age begins, many enjoy this time to travel, upgrade on homes, and even enter the entrepreneur world. As members of the so-called Selfie Generation, often criticized as self-absorbed, millennials have in fact used technology to improve in ways that are crucial for aging adults to maintain their independence. This generation possesses the education, social support, diversity, and ease with access to information that puts them in the position to rethink and revolutionize the aging experience.

Content Amid Crisis

Millennials have grown into adulthood by walking through some rough situations such as the Great Recession, Covid-19 pandemic, wage gaps and rising costs of living. But despite these obstacles, studies show that most older millennials are content with the way their life has turned out. According to a recent survey by The Harris Poll, about a variety of topics — including health, technology usage, families and future ambitions — 78% of people ages 33 to 40 said they were satisfied with their lives.

Cassie Mogilner Holmes, professor at UCLA, says that “when people reach their 30s and 40s, ordinary moments in daily life have a much bigger impact on happiness”. According to the professor this is mostly due to the fact that you start realizing as you get older that your time is limited, and therefore precious, which makes you start to sort of savor all those little precious moments.

This is the case of older millennials who are at a unique stage in life that allows them more comfort and fulfillment than their younger peers. They typically have stable jobs, higher self-esteem and more perspective, which makes them a generation who will age gracefully, and happily.