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Millennial's Trouble to Open Up Their Emotions


Let's go back to the beginning of this Research and Development blog. When I first was researching around on what I want to do for this subject, I came across an article post by Elite Daily. It talks about how this generation has so much trouble being vulnerable, and I thought to myself, that's me!

Based on my own experience and what I understand from the people around me, we are always scared when we have to share how we are feeling. We would rather be in an uncomfortable situation as long as we are not hurting other people's feelings. We would rather do anything else (except dying probably) as long as we don't show our emotions to other people. Maybe the reason could be to not show weaknesses towards other people or avoid hurting other people's feelings or even making sure you look and stay as cool as everyone said you are. It could be a lot of things, but definitely, no talking about your emotions.

Candice Jalili (2015) did research on this, and since she's American based, her research was as follows.

We are heavily medicated.
According to the 2014 US Behavioral Health Barometer, it is said that adults aged 18-25 had the biggest percentage of alcohol dependence or abuse.
Nervous for a date? Take a shot. Stressed out because of a huge test tomorrow? Drink some beer. Not having enough fun in a club? Pop some molly. With this mindset, no wonder we have so much trouble opening up our emotions to other people when we don't even give ourselves a chance to feel them first.

We hide behind our screens.
A 2012 study published by the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that “the mere presence of mobile phones inhibited the development of interpersonal closeness and trust, and reduced the extent to which individuals felt empathy and understanding from their partners.”
Furthermore, the study found that these effects were “pronounced if individuals were discussing a personally meaningful topic.” 
No matter how casual hook-up culture is or how heavily we self-medicate, we're still gonna have those difficult conversations. And when they happen, we won't be able to hide behind screens.

We're too busy to feel.
The 2015 Future Leaders Index found that “Two-thirds of Australians aged 18 to 29 say they are busy often or all the time."
Sometimes when we are in those existential crisis moments, questions like "What am I doing with my life?" or "Am I happy?" might creep in, but instead of answering them and facing the inherent emotional baggage, we prefer to be busy.

So when do I have time to consider whether or not I'm happy when I'm trying to make sure I pass my school classes AND get a good job AND keep my body in shape AND maintain all my relationships all while trying not to faint at any moment?

There's no filter for your feelings.
In June 2018, Instagram has reached 1 billion active users with 500 million people uses the platform every day (TechCrunch, 2018). That is A LOT of people taking A LOT of time picking a filter for their pictures to be posted. 
The app defines itself as “a free and simple way to share your life and keep up with other people.” Now let's take a moment and think, 1 BILLION people use this app to express thoughts, feelings, and emotions by snapshots filtered to perfection. 
But real-life thoughts, feelings, and emotions are complex. You can't simplify your overwhelming sadness by showing other people with a black-and-white photo of an empty beach. Or you can't just  simplify your (real-life) love for this guy by posting a picture of the two of you deeply gazing into each other's eyes in front of the Eiffel Tower. 
And that is scary.
What if people don't accept our true feelings for the ugly, complicated messes that they really are?

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