The Empire of Things: Me, myself, and ?
0
16
0
We live in an empire built on things—an empire of wants, needs, and symbols of success, happiness, and personal fulfillment. Consumer goods are more than mere possessions; they carry social meanings like status, security, and even a sense of community. Yet, these are poor substitutes for genuine human connections and collective well-being. The relentless pursuit of material goods can never truly satisfy the deeper human need for social interaction and belonging.
But this is the reality we inhabit. So, what is Gen Z’s role in a society built on status?
Take Sarah, a 26-year-old student in urban and sustainable regenerative agriculture. When asked what her ideal society looks like, she said:
“I think that just kind of going back to our roots a little bit, growing food, being involved in our communities, and finding peace within the community while helping each other out.”
Sarah envisions a self-sufficient society focused on community and far removed from heavy dependence on technology. We discussed how the concept of community has evolved, contrasting it with the individualistic tendencies of modern society. We asked ourselves: why this disconnection? Where is the missing link?
“In my experience, I think my attraction towards developing a community is a response to feeling isolated in my society. They taught us to make friends, go to school, and build connections at our jobs, but they’ve never really taught us to build community just because,” she explained.
As I listened, I focused on one phrase: “feeling isolated in my society.” She described our society as part of her own—"my society"—yet she doesn’t feel part of it. Why is that? We have become more individualistic, yet the younger generations are striving to build a sense of community. So, what role does education play in all of this?
Sarah expressed her dissatisfaction with the traditional education system, emphasizing its lack of practical life skills and real-world lessons.
“I don't think highly of it. In college, the kind of education I’ve received is worlds different from public education growing up. Public education didn’t really teach you life skills—things you could use practically every single day. They teach you beneficial stuff, but they don’t teach you how to be a person or how to interact with others.”
Our economic system, driven by capitalism, encourages people to see themselves primarily as consumers rather than community members. This shift means personal identity and self-worth are often tied to material possessions and achievements rather than social connections. The emphasis on individual success has normalized a lifestyle centered on personal consumption and economic gains, fostering isolation as people become more absorbed in their own pursuits and less engaged with their communities. This is reflected in our education system, perpetuating a way of life that new generations find dissatisfying.
Gen Z is highlighting and advocating for the change they want to see: a society where people work fewer hours and have more energy to build and maintain community ties.
If we ignore the need for change, significant inequalities will continue to grow. The resources consumed by the wealthiest parts of the world often come from poorer regions, perpetuating cycles of poverty and social disparity. This not only undermines global social cohesion but also contributes to environmental degradation as the relentless pursuit of resources leads to exploitation and ecological harm. Of course Gen Z and Millennials want things to change!
But what does this shift mean for the younger generations?
Sarah is currently studying and working to pay for her education. But she cannot work in her field yet, as there are not many well-paying jobs that accept students, so she’s forced to work in a restaurant. She spends almost every day working or studying, leaving her little space to reflect on her life and direction.
“I think I’m struggling the most with direction in my life. I know what I want to do in the future, but when it comes to working a part-time job to get me there in the meantime, I’m scared to start because I don’t want to get rejected.”
“The main problem is that the jobs I could get right now don’t pay as well as the restaurant, which is scary. And it’s another thing holding me back.”
She shared her turmoil—torn between the amount of work she must put in to make ends meet and the fear of rejection if she actually pursues her desired path. She is scared of being scared. She fears judgment, and what it means to her to admit that she is struggling.
“I’m scared of being perceived as weak,” she confessed.
I got emotional. I understood her. It’s a turmoil of emotions to be alive and to feel that you have to prove something to society. I asked myself, “Where is the empowerment?”
“Change is good. You have to talk about it because this allows you to not be scared of it anymore. It helps you acknowledge that this is just for now. It really is just for now, and you’re doing it because of your big objective of becoming who you want to be,” I told her.
I reminded her to focus on the “why”: “Why am I doing all of this? What is my purpose?” Whether we like it or not, we need a purpose in life, whatever that might be. And now and then, we have to ask ourselves, “Why am I here?”
“What makes you happy, Sarah? What does happiness mean to you?”
“Happiness to me is being content. It’s a base level of being content with your life like 95% of the time.”
95% of the time—wow. I smiled and said, “You know, this last year has made me realize that my concept of happiness was completely distorted. It was actually making me unhappy. I was looking for something that doesn’t exist. Then I realized that happiness is a lot of things, but mostly small things. If you have that structure of small things that become a solid base, then that is happiness.”
One thing I’ve realized in my short time on earth is that our society sells happiness in the form of stories—little pills of things that promise happiness. Yet, they don’t teach us that happiness is actually a state of mind. It’s not what you have; it’s who you are.
We both smiled. It takes just one step to fall into depression, and all we have is our mind to counter it.
Despite everything, I wondered: “What is your definition of success?”
“Success for me is doing what I love, making good money while doing it, but also doing something important for other people.”
And here is the big difference and hope that Gen Z offers to society: doing what you love while considering others. That could make a significant change in our society, and it’s a change I’d like to see.
Would you?
P.S. If you're curious to know more about regenerative agriculture, Sarah suggests watching The Biggest Little Farm.
You can follow Sarah's journey along with some of her peers on our latest podcast, Un-Charted Your Sidekick for Life season 2!
Join us on our journey.
You can find Lola’s episode here:
Inside Out: Gen Z’s Mental Health Journey with Becky Henderson
This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.
If you would like to join the conversation email us at anais@foundingup.com
Stay connected with us for the latest updates and stories of impact. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to be part of a movement that’s setting new benchmarks for success and collaboration.
But why stop at following? Dive deeper into our ecosystem by signing up on our website today. Your expertise could be the beacon that guides a young mind towards their calling, or perhaps, you’ll find the mentorship you’ve been seeking to catapult your ideas into reality.
Together, let’s create a legacy of innovation, mentorship, and success.
Related Posts
