As Gen-Zers, we have had an abundance of information at our fingertips for most of our lives. That math problem you just can’t seem to solve? YouTube. Need help picking an outfit? Pinterest is your best friend. An introduction to a future boss? Just a connection away on LinkedIn. This newfound access to information sets us apart from older generations. We have the ability to be anybody and do anything. As 20-somethings, the possibilities are endless, yet society has a different idea of who and what we should do with our lives.
Today, society rewards us for being easily digestible. The social media algorithm promotes those with a cohesive theme, personality and overall brand. Think Emma Chamberlain. Known for her quirky personality and coffee obsession, she went from a normal teenager to wearing Louis Vuitton at the Met Gala in under five years. This phenomenon is not just reserved to society, and parents have even tapped in. “Find your niche and excel in it,” “that’s an oversaturated industry,” “you need to set yourself apart”—we have all had these conversations. This catch-22 has us asking a multitude of questions about who we are and how we should present ourselves. So, what should we actually do? Become a jack of all trades or an expert in our niche? Well I’m here to give you the answer, well, kind of.
Will one decision change the trajectory of our life? Probably not, but the way we appear to others is an important part of success. This is, however, not as simple as it seems. Before you start projecting a surface-level version of yourself out to the world, I urge you to dig a little deeper. Evaluate your values, hobbies and style. Those aspects are what make us unique. We don’t necessarily directly use them in our everyday life; however, the lessons learned in them can be applied to your “brand” in order to make it more than an aesthetic.
So, maybe the answer isn’t so black and white. It’s about you, your values and how you want to be perceived. The resolution is personal, it’s individual. I hope you dive inside to debunk the Gen-Z catch-22 in order to find your true self.
