There is an article I keep pointing to for this - Why Generation Y Yuppies Are Unhappy https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.html

There is an article I keep pointing to for this - Why Generation Y Yuppies Are Unhappy https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.html https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-... It has the premise that... Boomers had a "work hard and you'll get there eventually" combined with a period of economic growth resulting in better reality than the expectations. Gen Y (and gen Z) aspire to that growth (note that the economics haven't been there) and have been told that they are special and to "pursue your dreams". Consider the "fulfilling career" vs "secure career" ideals for the young adults of the past decade. This results in the idea that you'll make $150k as a software developer out of college or that you'll be able to find a job as an itinerant marine biologist studying whales in tropical locations. Those expectations falter when they hit reality. The rise of the influencer and idealized life has contributed to the perception that everyone else is doing great (meanwhile that person isn't) and the "I'm not an itinerant marine biologist while my friends are posting about their destination weddings... their perfect kids and their spouse's perfect job." And you've got a rather disappointing situation to be in that can negatively impact mental health.